Date: 2014-03-25
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 24, March 24, 2014Zero day. So we could have laid up short and did a Nero day (3 miles). I am the one who opted for the zero (I can't lie, I was cold and took advantage). We are not losing any time or miles just money. But this is a good lead in to a question or comment I receive; that being they were surprised we were staying at motels so often. It was always our plan to resupply or shower or do laundry or all of the above every 3 to 7 days. They were confused because the PCT seemed more primitive. I have not read many PCT journals and have no real frame of reference except for the book "Wild". Keep in mind when Cheryl Strayed walked the PCT it was in 1992 and she didn't even have money for a Snapple.   I suspect mail drops are more necessary on the PCT and trail towns not as accessible but again I have no frame of reference. I would love feedback on this question. As for our AT hike and stops I love them!! You get to meet locals and hikers and visit great little towns. I believe this is part of the whole AT experience. And we still sleep in the woods more often them not. We still only have one set of clothes and we still stink and we still crave a bacon cheeseburger. We did weigh ourselves today. We have both lost 10 pounds (fully dressed with coats and long johns). Now Radioman had just eaten a 5 pound hiker skillet so I suspect he's down more then 10. If all goes according to my research I will probably lose about ten more and stabilize. Men, Radioman in this case, struggle with weight the whole trail. We will keep close tabs on his weight/loss. Interesting AT stuff: Wiki - "The name "Smoky" comes from the natural fog that often hangs over the range and presents as large smoke plumes from a distance. This fog is caused by the vegetation exhaling volatile organic compounds, chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and easily form vapors at normal temperature and pressure."This proved true and it is what we speculated. I am not sure why I didn't get pictures of the phenomenon. Balds: Wiki - "How and why a summit develops into a grassy bald is unknown; they represent "an ecological enigma and a conservation dilemma". While there is some evidence that grassy balds have natural origins, the forest quickly started to reclaim the balds once large-scale livestock grazing was eliminated"Personally I believe they are man made and man maintained. We also spent some more dough at the outfitters. I had to get a rain hat. I think you will find it very snappy. So the AT runs right thru the middle of Hot Springs. Instead of white blazes they have AT symbols embedded in the side walk about every 100 feet. Oh and I bought Little Man a pack of hot dogs in honor of Rex. He gobbled 3 up. Now he's napping again. He sure knows how to take advantage of a zero. You might have noticed Radioman is growing a nice beard. It seems I am too!!!! I got some waxing stuff and Radioman is going to rid me of my goatee later today. Oh the things Momma never told me would happen!!!! The remainder of the day will consist of resting, and liquid (read beer) and food intake. So I am posting the journal early today. Tomorrow we head to Erwin, TN for yes another Nero. It is 68 miles and should take 4 1/2 days. Tomorrow is going to be chilly. After that it looks to be much warmer with some showers. I will get to see how my rain hat works. Reminder if you give a rats a$$ about Radioman's trail input please visit Trail Journals to see Radioman's updates and insight to my FB posts. http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=446194Signed, Cowgirl, Radioman and The Little ManPost script: So I thought my day was over. When who does Radioman drag thru the door but Pooh Bear!!! Yeah! We have missed him. So we go down the street for dinner and who is there! SQUIRREL AND TREE FROG!! We shared a pizza and laughs. I have missed them all.What a NICE way to end the evening. Also I bought Coop a fleece and low and behold it had Pooh Bear on it. Hiked today: 0Completed: 273.9Remaining: 1911.4Start Point: Hot Springs, NCEnd Point: Hot Springs, NC