Date: 2008-03-12
From: 2 miles before Hot Springs, NC

To: 1 mile past Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Almost every moment of today exceeded our expectations. The day started out early... I was so excited about the thought of heading into a town for 'real' food and mail that I awoke at 6AM, which only days ago was 5AM. Josh refused to get up for another hour, since the sun wasn't yet revealing itself.We camped only 2 miles from Hot Springs, so the downhill route into the town didn't take much time at all. Hot Springs, NC is the first town on the AT heading northward that the trail goes straight through. It's a lovely quaint little town full of friendly folks, and it hasn't been overrun with chain restaurants and the commercial world, which is pleasant to say the least. The town is also set up perfectly from a hungry hiker standpoint: there is an amazing diner almost as soon as you enter town.We enjoyed an incredible breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner -- a skillet breakfast with eggs, sausage, onions, peppers, cheese, hashbrowns, and mushrooms, plus biscuits, a country ham biscuit and chocolate milk. The server didn't think we would be able to eat it all, but we easily proved her wrong.After that, we picked up our first mail drop, where we received a lovely letter -- thanks Samantha! -- and a phenomenal package from my parents. 21 pounds of treasure... everything from MRE components to energy drink mix, beef jerky to Lindt chocolate truffles... we are now living a life of luxury. Thanks mom and dad for the inexpressibly wonderful package. We somehow managed to get it all in our packs.While in Hot Springs, we also did laundry and took showers. The laundromat had a sign that read "When doing laundry you must wear clothes. A towel only is not acceptable!" Apparently they have had issues in the past with hikers trying to get every last bit of their clothes clean. As for showers, the only place to simply take a shower versus spend the night as well is Hot Springs Resort and Spa. It was so disorganized that it took us over an hour to sort out where and how to take a shower. For other hikers: Our guidebook said it would cost 2 dollars, the price has increased to 5 dollars and does not include soap, shampoo, or towel. The showers are located across the street from the spa in the campground where no one was working. The campground's store was supposedly in charge of the showers but they were clueless. We eventually had to have someone from the spa come unlock the showers for us. That was the only hassle we encountered all day though.After showering, we went back to the Smoky Mountain Diner, hung our packs on the outside of the building (they have special hooks for packs), and ordered another superb meal. They have a 12oz burger there called 'The Hungry Hiker' for $7.99. We split it and shared macaroni, cucumber salad, okra, and corn nuggets as well. I didn't realize that any place outside of Bear Grass, NC had corn nuggets (deep fried cream corn).We are now tenting about a mile past Hot Springs. We are up on a ridge and we can hear trains going through the town at least hourly. I wasn't aware that trains are still so utilized, aside from the Amtrak system.It was nice to spend the day in town. It gave us the chance to rest and enjoy the company of others. We are quickly finding out that the best part of hiking the trail is the people you meet along the way. From current and past thru-hikers to miscellaneous and curious people we just happen to cross paths with, everyone has been so kind, unique, interesting, and interested and an overall pleasure to meet.-Amanda