Date: 2008-01-31
From: Kale Gap, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

I ended up sleeping good last night after I finally warmed up. Still can't believe I got so cold when it was just 25 degrees out.Oh well...probably just my body telling me it wasn't "fixed" yet.It actually was warmer out this morning at 28 degrees, but about 4 am the wind picked up and when I woke up at 5am it was blowing so hard through the gap that I didn't even try to brew coffee. :-(I ate my two old fashion apple pies for breakfast. I forgot to mention that all I ate last night was a few nuts, a little Fritos and a piece of beef jerky.I got packed and was walking by about 7am.I started climbing Bluff Mtn right away. It was only a 1,000 ft climb, but I guess I was pretty congested this morning and I kept running out of air. I bet I stopped a dozen times to suck in more air.I almost never get winded on climbs, but I sure was this morning.I just walked slow and got to the rocky summit and took a picture before starting the 2,200 ft descent to Garenflo Gap.I kept at it and walked by there about 2 hours later.I started climbing again right after that. It wasn't as bad as earlier climbing Bluff Mtn, but I was still breathing hard to get enough air.I climbed up to Lamb's Knob, then another 2 miles of easier walking to the sidetrail to Deer Park Mtn Shelter, but didn't stop.It was only another 3.2 miles to Hot Springs and I figured I'd eat a late lunch at Smoky Mtn Diner.I climbed a few hundred feet, and then it was mostly downhill after that.I started seeing the French Broad River below and was walking into Hot Springs before long.I did stop at the diner first and had chopped steak and potatoes and about 4 cups of coffee. :-)I stopped at the PO next because Socks '05 sent me a care package!Thank you Socks!! :-) Those might work well for breakfast and they're lightweight, but do I put the veggie stuff on the waffles along with the jelly?I'll let you know how I like them once I've tried them on the Trail. :-)I walked on to the outfitter and talked to Dan a while, then I got on the computer to check email.Once again I have to apologize for getting so behind in answering everyone. There is no data service here in Hot Springs, so it will still be a little while. :-(There is cell service here now!Wayne saw me on the computer and came over to talk a while. He'd had a bicycle accident since I'd last seen him and had broken his collar bone, but seemed better now.Shadow Hawk came walking in while I was there. I knew he looked familiar, but it took a minute for me to realize he was the one working at the Wal-Mart deli in Newport that I saw a few days ago.He's starting his thru hike in just a month from now! :-)We talked while he picked up a few items, then I left to get my room at Springbrook Cottages....the best place by far that I've ever stayed at in Hot Springs!Thanks to Circuit Rider and Sherlock for showing me these cottages a couple years ago.Most hikers don't even know they exist because they aren't listed anywhere I know of.I got my shower and washed my clothes and I fell asleep for a couple hours.I was surprised when I woke up that it was dinner time already. :-)I walked back to the diner and had a hamburger, fries and a salad.I stopped at the Dollar Store on the way back and picked stuff for tomorrow's breakfast and lunch....and some NyQuil for tonight.Tomorrow is a zero and I'll see how I'm feeling after that before deciding about the next day.If I have to be sick, at least I can be sick in warm comfort here. :-)Another great day on the Appalachian Trail! :-)PS I'll get the pictures of the last 2 days to Mrs Gorp as soon as I get data service again