Date: 2015-06-26
From: Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.3

As usual in a hostel, I didn't sleep that well. There was absolutely no reason for this as only Ahab and I were in the women's bunk room and she was a perfectly pleasant roommate. I got down for breakfast at 6:15 or so and everything was all ready and set out already, though there wasn't anybody there. I ate two waffles and drank tea and orange juice and left just after seven. I was the first of the six guests to leave but the last one to arrive in Boiling Springs.The weather forecast was unclear on whether today would be rainy or not but it was actually really pleasant out. Early on it was misty and overcast and cool, but that's pretty good hiking weather in my book. Getting out of the park, the trail was super flat and easy, and then there was a relatively easy climb to a ridge where we stayed most of the day.My first goal was to make it to the road where it was a .2 walk to a general store. I was hoping for sandwiches but even I they didn't have those, they'd have cold drinks and snacks. I was in luck though, they did have a sandwich counter and I had a pork BBQ sandwich on the porch. They also had enough grocery stuff for a small resupply but I didn't want to carry it to Boiling Springs when I could do a similar resupply there.While I was eating, I checked messages and I was very excited to learn that my friend Valerie will come hike with me on Sunday and that she will bring me new shoes! I can really tell my shoes have reached the end of their useful live as my feet get sore much more quickly now. And while there are some rocks here or there, this is most definitely not the Rocksylvania section of Pennsylvania. So this was all good news. Then Ahab and Doc Teen (I think his name is) arrived and I arranged to split a room with Ahab in Boiling Springs. Things were falling into place! Or so I thought anyway.The afternoon hike was a little more challenging, with a couple of small uphills, two so-called rock mazes (follow the arrows) and at the end a longish walk through a very bucolic looking farm area. By now we were almost in Boiling Springs. Once we got there, the trail magic guys from the last couple of days (twin oaks, they are twins and one had the trail name Oak when he thru hiked) were there with more goodies. Thanks again, I hope we meet again! When Ahab and I got to the ATC regional center, there was a notice on the bulletin board that said that the place we had planned to stay in was booked. We called to confirm this and also called every other place in town and everything was full. So now we were looking at the decidedly unappealing prospect of camping at the hikers campground right next to the railroad. Where freight trains come through all night. And they are required to blow the whistle because there is an at-grade crossing. I did not foresee a restful night.But, Outro and Anchor to the rescue! They already had a room reserved in nearby Mount Holly Springs and offered to share! Ahab and I jumped on the offer before they could change their minds and here we are. There is a bar attached to the motel where we had dinner and watched the U.S. Vs China soccer game (U.S. won so everybody here is happy). A great end to a very good day on the trail.Whether tomorrow is going to be a very good day on the trail remains to be seen. The weather forecast is dire, with pretty much 100% chance of rain all day. We'll see what happens!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?