Date: 2012-04-12
From: Old Roadbed - Tented

To: Hot Springs - Alpine Court Motel
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 18 - Thursday, April 12thHiking Days 13 / Nero Days 4 /  Zero Days 1Start Location:  Old RoadMile Marker: 266,4Ending Location: Hot Springs - Alpine Court MotelMile Marker: 274.0Time: 2h 53minMiles: 7.6Weather: very cold in the morning - 35-38. Wind has settled down.  Started with all my cloths on again.  Woke up a few times with my feet being a bit cold.  Not over bearing but still not pleasant.  Since I think I was asleep by 8:15 or so, I was wide awake by 6:00. Still dark so a remained in my bag until my alarm went off at 6:30.  I could see that one of the members of the group of four guys already had a fire going.  This would certainly help me get fully warmed up once I finished packing up.  Was packed in 10 minutes.  Sat at the fire and talked for 15 minutes. With my hands warmed up,  I said my thanks and goodbye and hit the trail a few minutes before 7.  With only seven plus miles to go to Hot Springs, I figured I would be siping coffee by 10:00.  Morning coffee twice in two days.  How sweet is that?  Of course I had to do a 25 mole day yesterday to do it but it will be worth it.  On the way I stopped at the shelter entrance to take off my pants and my vest.  Last night I literally had ever piece of cloths on that I have with the exception of my rain coat.  Thus may sound extreme but it is actually perfect planning.  I have my gear choices to the point that I could be safe down to 30 degrees.  Below that I would need to figure something out.  Even with this cold spell and at the higher elevations, even with the wind chill factors, I have exactly what I need.  In addition, I ate the last bit of my food last night.  Again this may seem extreme but once again it is perfect planning.  I know I have a short day and I know there is food at the end.  I see no advantage to carry food into a place that has it.  So with all my cloths on my back and no food to carry, my pack weight is about 5 or 6 pounds, thus DAYPAK.  In town as anticipated.  10:00. First stop was breakfast.  A skillet with sausage, muffin, two eggs, side of bacon and of course .... COFFEE.  It is odd that there is no Verizon service here.  Stint users can get through but not Verizon customers.  Odd because I think sprint uses the Verizon cell towers.  Odd. After breakfast I went to do my laundry.  The laundry area that was in the back of this local store is now gone.  Found a laundromat down the street.  My good tip left me a dollar short for a wash, dry and detergent.  Who needs dry cloths.  So I went for the detergent and will skip the dry.  Then I remembered that occasional clinging in my pack.  Further back I threw my change in my ditty bag.  Scored three quarters do now I could do all three.  Changed to my rain pants and windshirt and everything else went to the machine.  Neat-end up my pack during the wash.  When all done my plan is to go for a soak in the famous local hot spring baths.  It used to be something like $10 in 2006.  Now the discounted rate is $27.  A bit steep but this is the third time here and I have never indulged in one.  Since this is expected to be the last time I'm passing through, I'm going for one after my laundry is complete.  As it turns out, a single in the tub is only $13 four an hour plus a buck for a towel.  Priceless to a hiker so I signed upYou get a large whirlpool with a view of the French Broad River through the 30' bamboo trees.  It takes about ten minutes or so but then you start to go a bit zen like.  You notice the cardinals frolicking in the branches of the bamboo.  You realize there is a breeze and it is now not the enemy but a comforting friend.   You notice how the light is hitting on the branches of the other surrounding trees highlighting the color just perfectly.  Even the way the water is moving past is relaxing.  It is the surroundings that is experienced by a writer, a poem or short story would be inspired.  For me it is just the contrast on how everything around me has been passing by me every day for the past 274 miles and I just walk by it without a second look.  The sky is clear and bright blue, the cold harsh wind has turned into a relaxing warm breeze and the chirping of the birds that I use as a key indicator that storms are imminent, are now just playful noises.  The difference a day makes. In-fact, it was so nice that for an additional $65 I went for a massage.  Such an over indulgence bit since I really believe that I won't be here again and I want to experience new things,  I went for it.  It was ok but not the experience like the hot baths.  It was now 4:00 so I thought I would be able to check in.  While walking out the gravel driveway I felt every bug in the area was buzzing around me.  Then I remembered I'm covered in massage oil.  I'll definitely need to shower this off.  On the way to the hotel I stopped in to the outfitters to see if they had new canoe shorts since I noticed a rip in the butt on mine.  the outfitters is supposed to bean exceptional hiker shop but I found it to be another life is food type shop. Teeshirts and great hiking souvenirs.  I'll have to duct tape it for now.  It seems that all my prior gear is wearing out exponentially at this point.  I also wanted to mail a few small items back but the post office was closed.  No big deal though.  On the way to the hotel I ran into the Honeymoon Couple in front of the hotel.  This was nice since without phone service I was not sure how I would be able to determine if they were in town.  They asked to split a room and I thought since I never have spilt a room before I would again try a new experience. New talked and caught up nearly the whole time.  I went to the Dollar General to resupply for the next 4 days to Erwin in addition to a few snacks for the day.  $30 later I had a very heavy bag.  Back at the hotel we talked a bit more then went to the diner to eat.  Again a very pleasant conversation.  The two of them are an extremely nice couple.  Many of their stories involve the many instances of trail magic they have received.  Ratman has the type of personality that can easily break the ice in a conversation and together with a tumbler make they million dollar couple needed to bring the guard down to the people they meet resulting in trail magic.  They have so many great stories they really should write a book. It would be both fun and entertaining.   One last trip to pick up the toilet paper I forgot.  On the way back I picked up a few beers for the evening.  We had had. Beer and ended up watching American Idol.  It's hard to believe there are still seven contestants remaining and I Colton was already voted off but apparently not. Oh well.  Packed my pack and found that it weighed far more then I expected.  Very different then the 5 or 6 pounds I came into town with.  It must be the food. So I went through my food again and took items out.  Still way to heavy but I have four days needed plus fuel now that I'm cooking.  I want to keep on the 20 plus mile schedule and with a pack as heavy as it is, I know it will be hard and painful.  I am planning on skipping the hostel I have stayed at the last two holes since it is only 16 miles in and I have already spent to much in town on over indulgences.  I also have enough food so I am anticipating skipping breakfast and instead eating lunch out of my pack.  All good ideas and I'll see how far anger with them.  To bed very, very late, around 11:00.  No need to rush out tomorrow s this should be okIt is now 3:00 in the morning and with some snoring going on I cannot sleep.  So I thought since I am up I would update some journals so when I have service I could get them posted.  The snoring has subsided so I think I'm going to try to get back to sleep for now.  Normally I would be upset since a good sleep while in town is so important but hanging witht the Honeymooners has been well worth losing some sleep.