Date: 2003-04-08
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC 
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 26 Avg. Miles/Day 10.4 Weather: Morning much the same as yesterday...overcast but could see a few breaks in clouds. Temp dropped into the 40's around 2 p.m. Rain in the eveningI'm in Hot Springs!...the first real "Trail town." This is because the Trail actually goes through the middle of town.Finishing up last night, Mule & Driver never showed at Roaring Fork Shelter. Radio Shack was going to stick around at the shelter today to see if they needed help. We're hoping they just had a slow day and Mule's shin didn't get worse. I hope to see them in town tomorrow.Goldberry was frist to take off this morning. I got out about 1/2 hour later with Detective Friday. I hiked alone again all day. The climbs weren't bad and the views were limited. The nice thing was there was none of the "80%" rain during the day.   In fact, I could see my shadow some of the time. I did climb from Lemon Gap (3,550') to Bluff Mtn. (4,686') but the climb seemed gradual with switchbacks. Once I get past the first hour or so I seem to get on a roll and am not too tired. It is interesting though...some days I feel like I have plenty of energy and some I drag a little.   Got to Deer Park Mtn. Shelter about 12:30 where Goldberry was unpacked and set up for the night. She plans to hike in tomorrow morning, hopefully with Mule & Driver and we'll all meet for lunch at The Smokie Mountain Diner. We talked for awhile about places to stay and I gave her a package of Ramen noodles as she was running a little short on food (nice guy that I am).   The rest of the hike into Hot Springs was pretty much down hill. The last mile or two was along a ridge overlooking the entire town...a nice view. Just as the Trail went into town I met up with Just Do It. He was staying at tne Alpine Court. The first thing I did was visit the outfitter to get his read on places to stay.   I weighed myself on their scale and at 165# I have lost about 12#. I then walked back to the edge of town and checked out the Duckett House B&B which has a good reputation. Although they were willing to give me a double room at the single rate, I decided to stay "in the middle of town" at the Alpine.   I have a nice clean room with a TV (although it only gets 2 channels) for $40. I should sleep well tonight. I immediately did my laundry and there I ran into Cobra and Splash who were in the same shelter with me the first night out from Springer.   She saw a doctor in town for pain from "small muscles tares." She was advised to stay off of it for a few days and then to limit her miles after that...not good but it didn't seem to affect her spirits.I got cleaned up and went to the Smokie Mtn. Diner where I had a Philly chesesteak and fries with a chef's salad. Tomorrow sometime I'm going back for blackberry pie and ice cream. After dinner I took a walk downtown. I poked my head in the pub and there was Dag & Mag and Border Riever. I joined them for a nice cold draft while they had dinner. We exchanged updates on how the Trail has been since we last saw each other at Fontana Dam.   On the way out stopped and chatted with Fremont and Cool Foot who were just finishing dinner. Came back to the motel office and called Julia. Sounds like Casey is demanding all of her free time. Tomorrow, I will visit the outfitter and try to get on the internet.   I might try to see the dentist about a temporary filling where I lost the inside piece of a molar.Personal Message: Tomorrow is my Dad's 81st birthday. I will call you Dad, but want to take this opportunity to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You deserve it. You have always been there for me and worked hard all of your life. Look forward to seeing you in The Shenandoah National Park.