Date: 2003-04-28
From: Walnut Mountain shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

Start: Walnut Mountain Shelter destination Hot Springs I woke up just as the sky was beginning to lighten up. I packed up and then grabbed a granola bar for lunch. The water source here was a small slow stream, and I did not want to hike down to it for more water to cook with. It was another beautiful day for hiking and again today I hike alone. I am warmed by the sun as it comes up, and the birds are starting their morning choruses. I am back to carrying my full pack and I still make good time. I stop for a break at a small gap. I take off my shoes and stretch. I have another blister starting on top of one of my toes. That is strange, to get a blister after 250 miles of hiking. I change my socks out and put some padding on my toe. I hike for a short ways with Bro.Ron. We have a good time talking about our relationship with the Lord. Footslogger catches up with me, and tells me Maledrop is feeling much better but was late getting started. I had left them a note in the register that I was pushing ahead to town today. This would be my longest milage day yet. I try not to get impatient, but rather just enjoy the day.The first part of the day I always seem to get in a hurry wanting to reach my destination for the night.It is hard for me to just relax and enjoy the journey. Before noon,I am sweating and in danger of getting sunburned. I stop and put on sunscreen, take another snack break, and move on. It seems like it is hard for me to get started once I stop. I have seen signs of bear here but no bear. I do see my second snake. In fact, my boot was eady to come down on him before I realized he was there. I reach Hot Springs, at 2:00pm and luckily get a room at Elmer's Bed and Breakfast. This house is on the National Historic Resgistry. He rents out rooms to hikers for $15.00. I talk him into renting me the double room with only one bed even though I am alone. It costs me $35.00. I have slept with someone either in the shelters, or in the hostels for five weeks. I want a room all by myself. My room is a wonderfully decorated with a combination of old furnishings and newer. The bathroom is private with this bedroom. A huge claw foot tub sits on one side of the bathroom. I am sorely tempted to run it full of hot water, but I want to go to the natural mineral hot springs spa that is here. I also have an hour massage scheduled. I take a long luxurious shower, then put on my last clean clothes. It is a ten minute walk to the hot springs. I get a tub all to myself for $10.00 an hour. The tub is out along side of the French Broad River. I sit there and watch the river rolling by. My hour is up just in time, I am almost in a comatose state. I am greeted by my massage therapist who kneeds me into jello in an hour. This is the best treatment I have given myself in a long time. I do not feel the least bit guilty as I pull out my plastic card. I walk back to Elmer's only to find out that since there were not enough hikers for Elmer to cook up his famous organic meals. My other choices are beer and pizza, or Mountain Magnolia Inn. Their menu out on the main road made my mouth water just reading it, things like Shrimp Creole Pillows, Filet Mignon, Seafood Quesadilla. Not your cheap town diner, but my only other choice. I walk several blocks and come upon this beautifully restored house. Built in 1866 and restored in 1999. The inn opened as a resort and lodging. The furnishings are grand to say the least. I order the Roasted Norwegian Salmon, covered with fresh dill sauce. Wild Mushroom Pilaf, braised Zucchini Boats with Black Olive Tomato Ragu. The house salad I had was a muscline mix lettuce with Vidallia Onoin Dressing, fresh baked Oatmeal bread, with honey nutmeg butter sent my taste buds into orbit. Most of the salad greens and all of the herbs are grown on site. The flowers that odorn the tables and the rooms are also grown on site. There is no way to do justice to this place, so just go check out their website for a virtual tour.www.mountainmagnoliainn.com. I have not had such a grand meal in ages. Again I do not feel guilty as I pull out my plastic card. I silently say thanks, babe for this treat! In talking to the owner of Mountain Magnolia Inn, I find that Hot Springs has a population of 700 people. The town is 3.5 miles from town limit to town limit. Tourism plays a big part of the economy here, as does a couple of factories and the forest service. I yogi a ride from the owners back to Elmer's. I grab my jacket and head down the block to use the pay phone to send emails and see who has emailed me. I am sitting here, in the dark, in front of a closed store waiting on my turn to use one of the two pay phones. What a life! I am looking forward to sleeping in a big bed, and an organic breakfast in the morning. Then I will decide if I want to stay another day here or not.I could probably see the whole town by noon, that is if I take my time. bumpkin