Date: 2012-06-13
From: Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

As I was drifting off to sleep last night, a train went by the campground with the whistle shrieking. It was just like "My Cousin Vinny".This time I heard the 5:30 alarm and got up and started organizing and packing. I had an 11 mile day planned so I kept calculating how late I could start. I was still going back and forth about taking a zero day - like "11 miles isn't too far""But my ankle is all black and blue""But it fits in my shoe""But I can't lace it""But it doesn't really hurt""But I can't walk down the stairs from my cabin without leaning on the railing""But when I'm hiking I can lean on my poles"Went to the Smoky Mountain Diner for breakfast. Saw Catch Up who I met at Walnut Mountain shelter on the rainy night. He had just gotten into town and was taking a day or two off. But I cut the conversation short because I still thought I needed to hurry and get hiking. By the time I walked back to the campground I decided to take a zero day. My cabin was already reserved for the night so they moved me to an upgraded cabin with a half bath. Since I had a sink, I got busy washing out ziplocks (very important) and my cooking stuff.Went to lunch and saw the Indiana church group - tomorrow they are heading to the same shelter that I was planning to go to. This shelter only has room for 5 and who knows how many tents can set up there?Stopped by the outfitters, still trying to decide if I could keep hiking. I asked about arranging a shuttle to Asheville if I got off the trail, but then bought Advil and a silk sleeping bag liner just in case. (the cuben covering on my quilt is gross against the skin).Went and soaked my ankle in the French Broad river - not really cold enough. Figured I would go for another hot tub since it's only $13 before 6 pm (paid $32 last night).As I walked up to the hot tub building, I ran into a group of hikers from the Groundhog Creek shelter - Chris, his 11- year old son Josh, and his uncle Ed. They were checking into suites at the resort with heart-shaped hot tubs (no cabins left). After my hot tub (different view - trees with Virginia creeper and a better view of the river) I met them for dinner. While we were waiting for Ed, Chris commented on these 2 women's dreadlocks - I've seen more (white) people with dreadlocks here than anywhere else. Over dinner they said they were planning on going rafting tomorrow and then camp on Max Patch for the night and they agreed to let me come along. On the way back from dinner, the Indiana guys waved to me from where they were hanging out outside their hotel, and I said hi to a couple who I had talked to on the trail. As a nomad, I usually am living or visiting places where I don't know anyone - it's an unusual experience for me to run into people I know.I went back with the guys to their fancy suites and Ed went across the street to the store. When he came back he said "I've seen 4 people with dreadlocks since I've been here". Who knew, in Hot Springs, NC?We tried to arrange a shuttle with Dan the next day to get their car in GSMNP but couldn't get a good enough signal to have a conversation. Dan texted me he was at the outfitter and we ran down there - except got waylaid by an extremely long train. Plans are set for tomorrow - not sure what I'm doing after that.