Date: 2015-04-22
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Allen Gap, NC/TN
Miles today: 14.8

Last night had to be one of the worst nights leading up to sleep so far. The same 5 of us crowded into our cabin, plus Tick Tock who joined for the night. I was able to score a single bed by myself, but both Moosehead and Hobble maintained a chorus of snores that lasted well into the early morning hours. I woke at 7:30am, grabbed a shower, packed up my gear, and made my way back to Smoky Mountain Restaurant for another round of the exact same breakfast as yesterday. Just as I was crossing the street to enter the diner, I noticed a familiar figure walking towards me from the direction of the trail - the man, the myth, the legend - Rock Boat.We met in the middle of the street, fortunately it wasn't a bustling town, and exchanged a handshake and hug. I insisted he come to the diner with me for some solid breakfast and to catch up. He was on board with the idea so we grabbed a table with Jeopardy and 2 other thru-hikers and spent the next hour catching up while drinking many cups of coffee in order to kick start the day ahead. It was nice to see Rock Boat in good spirits, healthy, and feeling content with the progress of his hike. After breakfast I gave him the grand tour of Hot Springs and where to find everything he'd want over the next ~48 hours of his personal R&R. Luckily most of Hot Springs is located on a single street, running half a mile or so. Unfortunately my group was prepared to leave just after our 11:00am check out, so our reuniting was kept short. I'm sure he'll be able to catch up again and I'll be treated to his Forrest Gump quotes once more.The 6 of us began the day back into the mountains by crossing the French Broad River, running along it's rushing waters and turbulent rapids, before beginning our climb up the first mountain that would put us near cruising altititude for the remainder of the day. This first ~45 minutes was a mental struggle as my aching feet and legs soon returned under the weight of a newly resupplied pack. Sweat quickly began trickling down my face and was only slowed during brief moments that we stopped to take in sweeping vistas of Hot Springs and the entire French Broad River valley as we made our way higher. Fortunately this would be the most physically straining part of the day in what would turn out to be a very nice intro back into the mountains after the zero.With Pump Gap behind us, we quickly realized we had covered just over ~5 miles in a short period of time as we took a short break at a small, secluded pond complete with its own ~20ft dam. A couple was enjoying the late morning by fishing which made us envious as we would've loved to have blown another relaxing day doing the same. Onward through Tanyard Gap and up Rich Mountain where we took our next break by trekking a little out of the way to a lookout tower resting on its summit. The tower provided a vast 360-degree view of the mountains in the distance, a few rooftops back in Hot Springs, and flat land to the west. We all seemed to comment at the sight of flat land since mountains have been our domain for the past 3 weeks.Back on the trail we would continue a relatively easy trek through Hurricane Gap and up and down a series of camel humps, each a couple hundred vertical feet higher than the last, battered by wind the entire time. We reached our original destination of Spring Mountain Shelter, but what has become the norm with this group, plans are always changing. The group decided to continue on to another water source with camping spots nearby that we'd eventually realize wouldn't happen. We hiked for an additional ~4 miles before stopping just beyond Allen Gap. We found campsites, but without nearby water. I have a liter left that I would love to demolish, but a few miles remain before the next water source so I'll have to resist the urge.Before reaching our current location, we saw that our guidebooks list a limited resupply store called "Mom's" about 100 yards east of the trailhead. We walked over hoping to find something worth consideration (a Coke for me), but quickly found out we were out of luck. Although the place is still in operation - though was already closed for the evening - it looks like it has been out of business for years. We looked into the dark windows to see what we could see, and then selection looked very slim indeed. I'm sure the owner has helped weary hikers over the years so I mean no disrespect by saying that, from the exterior, the place looks like it holds a well in the backroom where some helpless thru-hiker is told to put lotion on its skin. On a positive note, however, we noticed the store sits right on the NC/TN border so it was nice to get our bearings again other than knowing we were on the AT.Tonight most of us, after my suggestion, have decided to cowboy camp and sleep without our tents. We threw up a tarp to protect us from any possible rain that might come in the night. However, I realized I was shafted as Moosehead, Burnsides, Tick Tock, and Miles quickly spread out under the tarp with no regard for my things. In truth I don't mind as long as it doesn't rain. Favoritism is forming among the ranks so my time with this group may be limited. It's important to hike your own hike.Tomorrow's plans, for now anyways, is to cover another ~15 miles or so to our next destination. My body reacted well post-zero, but the pain in one of my hamstrings returned again and will have to be monitored.I end this entry with a simple adieu haiku:White blazes lead North.One step at a time we make.Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch.