Date: 2007-05-31
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today is a zero-day, and what a wonderful place to take one! My morning begins with the chanting of my prayers. My having a private room gives me the privacy to comfortably chant my prayers, without having to fear "pushing" my rituals on anyone who would prefer not have the "exposure". I am a devout Catholic, and I do believe it to be true, despite the crap behavior of some within the Church; but, I also respect others freedom to disagree with me, to hold views opposite to mine. That doesn't mean I agree with their views, of course, but simply that I recognize the "Freedom of Religion" clause in the Constitution!Anyways, after prayers, I find myself at table with High Life, Keith, Gabrielle, and Elmer. Last week, there was a wedding here, and the bride and groom are still here. I had the pleasure of meeting them yesterday, and being able to chat some with them. I asked them if they were going to be at breakfast in the morning, and they commented that they had hoped to be out of town, on the highway, heading home for Atlanta, before breakfast. So, the questions naturally arises, "Elmer, have the newlyweds left yet?" He chuckles, saying that they haven't even woken up yet!I mention my plan to soak in the springs and have a massage, and Elmer immediately smiles, and tells me that I have made a wise decision! I make my reservations, and set to making several phone calls before my appointment! Before heading to the springs, another hiker arrives: Robert, whom I'd met at Duoble Springs Gap Shelter in the Smokies! Apparently, he'd gotten a ride back to Newfound Gap, where he finished the Smokies, ending at Standing Bear Farm. The girl who works there---again, I think her name is Angela---has shuttled him to Elmer's, where he'll be staying for the day.I head to the springs, and soak for an hour. I tried to make a reservation early enough, where the 104oF waters will be tolerable. Luckily, my "spring" (the spring water is piped into a jacuzzi) is not only secluded along a tributary of the French Broad River, but it's also shaded. There is also no shortage of breezes, billowing through the trees here, racing down the mountain slopes, which surround this beautiful area.After my hour, an attendant comes over to tell me that my time is up. Since I was alone, and had no swimsuit, I soaked completely nude, which was also nice in its own regards! Next is the massage, which I'm also looking forward to. I "know" my muscles are bound of ridiculous knots, and I trust that my masseuse's hands will remove said knots.My masseuse's name is Sara, and she can't be much older than I am. When I called, the receptionist assured me that she's most of their regulars favorite! I should be in for a treat today! She asks if I have any particular spots on my body that are more knotted up than others; all I can think of to point out is my left calve muscle! She then asks me if I have any questions before we begin. I awkwardly ask, "How much of my clothing am I 'supposed' to remove?" She laughs, and says, "As much as your comfortable with."She leaves the room for a moment, allowing me to get ready. I remove my shorts, leaving my underwear on (water wicking materials, of course!), and climb under the sheet. I'm still tired from yesterdays hike, and feel as if I could pass out right here and now. She comes in, and thus begins the magic show. She truly is an artist in her own field, as she literally, deliberately, and slowly massages practically every known muscle, taking ample time for each, according to the tightness of each one. After the front side is done, I roll over, and she works my backside, doing the same as the front, taking her time, pulling many rabbits out of her hat, as she makes me feel as if I haven't just hiked 270.7-miles.After the massage, we walk back to the waiting area outside, and there is Robert, next in line for a massage!I head to Bluff Mountain Outfitter, where I stock up on food to carry me to Erwin, TN, my next "planned" stop on the Trail. I'm a big Beatles fan, and am fond of most of the individual member's solo output, and am thus pleased to here "My Sweet Lord" from George Harrison upon my arrival! The outfitter is nice, and I meet a few other hikers there, all of whom are staying at Elmer's, also! They happen to be doing a southbound section hike, ending at Davenport Gap. One of the girls is, as she puts it, "Five-foot and shrinking!" She started a thru-hike a few years ago, and aborted it for reasons she never really got into. Nonetheless, she tells me that she wants to make a t-shirt that reads, "Fuck 20-mile Days", as she says she's simply unable to do them, due to her short stature, and, thus, short legs.On my way to Elmer's, I realize that I have yet to eat lunch! I head to the Smoky Mountain Diner, which was closed yesterday. What a treat, as I eat the largest Club sandwich I have ever had, along with onion "strips" (something like that; they were out of onion rings). I wasn't planning on dessert, but when my waitress tells me they have peanut-butter pie, I cave in, ordering a slice along with a steaming cup of coffee.Back at Elmer's, Keith and I pray Evening Prayer together before dinner. I'm "treated" (I am paying for this) to a gourmet, vegetarian meal! We start with an appetizer of sorts, followed by salad, followed by vegetarian lasagna, and finished with pie! I swear, there's no going home hungry at Elmer's!After supper, a number of us head back to Paddler's Pub, to see what's going on. We drink a few beers, while being treated to a wonderful local band with quite an eclectic sound! Their songs range in style from country, to blue grass, to easy listening, to rock 'n roll, to covers (the last song they play is a Johnny Cash rendition). What a joy to hear music (I haven't an mp3 player with me)!What a wonderful zero-day, and what well-spent time! Sleep is a welcome friend, and we converse throughout the night in the dreambanks of my mind.