Date: 2015-04-25
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Today was a bit schizophrenic, weather wise and fortune wise. But it ended up well in both categories and that's what counts!The doom and gloom predictions of violent thunderstorms did not come true. It did start raining towards morning but it was really just a sprinkle and didn't affect us much. Cherokee had ants in his pants and had his pack strapped on and was leaving just as I opened my tent zipper.The hiking was uphill to begin with, which is always a bit of a kick in the pants to start the day and I was a bit low energy to begin with. But the rain held off and I soon took of my jacket, and later my (rolled up ) rain pants. We saw Cherokee way below at a series of switch backs so he waited for us and he and I hiked together for a bit. Fiddler had town on the brain (or more likely, the stomach) and was out of sight before we knew it. First one in town was supposed to get the wine (Cherokee rule).We had lunch on a log beside the trail about halfway and it was quite the feats: sardines on ritz crackers, washed down with Tang and we split the last tangerine from the day before for dessert. I think it was the best trail meal yet! Unfortunately I did spill a little sardine juice on my shoe, so now I am bear bait til my next pair.We still had about seven miles to go, but the sun had now won the battle with the clouds and all of a sudden it was a delightful day for hiking! Since it was Saturday there were quite a few day hikers out (no brownies...) and they all smelled so good! One group of women asked if I was thru hiking and almost told them 'wait til you're closer, you can smell the answer'. Hot Springs is a real, honest-to-god trail town. The trail actually goes through town so no shuttle nonsense. And all the businesses cater to hikers. There is the spa as well (which we may check out tomorrow) and regular tourism, but clearly the trail is important to this town.Because it was Saturday, there were no rooms to be had though and our choices were either crashing with our trail friends the Traveling Circus or camp behind the dollar store. It was super nice of the guys to offer but the place was tiny and the still predicted thunder storm made camping not so attractive either. Plus I really wanted a shower. Cherokee to the rescue again!Mrs Cherokee had booked a place for Sunday and Monday night for all of us, and somehow Cherokee managed to get it for Saturday too! It is a cottage with two bedrooms and bathrooms and it has a kitchen! And wine glasses! Ok, only one wine glass. But we're not picky about our glassware at this point. The three of us had lunch at the Iron Horse Tavern, right next to the railroad (reminds me of Clifton!). The burger was great and I ate the whole thing. And I had a smoothie next door for dessert. Cherokee and I did laundry (yay for non-stinky clothes!) and I went back to the porch at the hiker ministry, where there is free wifi. I can't get a decent calling signal anywhere (though Cherokee can) but a lot of the businesses have free wifi which is great. Unfortunately the cottage does not.Sunday we'll relax, maybe check out the spa, see what the resupply situation is like and maybe hunt down some fresh fruit (I haven't seen any in town yet). I also need to do some repairs on my pant zip legs. Nothing too strenuous though, and I am sure there will be more sampling of the Hot Springs restaurant scene as well!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?