Date: 2003-04-15
From: Deer Park Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: few clouds

Last night the creatures banded together to rob us of our sleep! Before the lights went out the mice were busy pushing nuts and things to their storage spaces in the eves. When this is done on a metal roof, the noise made is amazing. They never came into the shelter and bothered us or our things, so I can't really complain.Just when the mice were settling down the whip-or-wills started. I believe there were 2 of them, calling back and forth at 10:30 at night.The light from the almost full moon was so bright that the area in front of the shelter was flooded with light enough to cast shadows across the clearing.It was the first night that I was too warm in my zero degree sleeping bag. I'll have to consider trading it for my 20 degree Ultralite soon. I'd also like to trade my boots for a pair of trail shoes but I'd really like to know that there won't be any more snow before I do that. Originally I had planned on sending winter gear home after Mt. Rogers, but I think I'd be ok trading the bag---but keeping all my winter clothes just in case I need to wear them to bed for warmth. I'll sure miss that 8" loft!Most everyone at the shelter slept in this morning due to the short hike into Hot Springs. For me that meant 7:30. I treated myself to my last blackberry tea bag while I packed up.Slug and Momba had asked me if I had seen their friend India from Boston, as they hadn't seen her for some time and they were somewhat concerned about her. I remembered getting an e-mail from my friend Karen in Boston telling me that India had gotten off the trail after 200 miles and was selling her gear. I relayed the information to the fellow Bostonians.At about 8:40 we walked out of camp and a short time later walked onto the main street of Hot Springs. It was only 10am when we got to Elmer's Sunnybank Inn.I am staying in a beautiful room on the first floor that has a door to the long back porch where I have spread out all of my belongings, and will decide exactly what food and clothing will join me on my hike to Erwin, TN.I have had my first cheeseburger and fries since getting on the trail, gotten internet access for the first time in over 4 weeks (if you had asked me on the 10th of March if I thought I could survive without it, I'd have told you no!) made several phone calls to family that wasn't home, and I'm now sitting on a porch swing writing this. Swinging is one of my most favorite things in the world to do, so I'm very content at the moment.My name is on the blackboard for the 7pm family style dinner; a vegetarian feast so I hear and I'm looking forward to every bite.The resident cat, Pandora has satisfied my need to pet something and there was a boxer at the laundromat that put up with me too.The outfitter in town is wonderful, the diner owned by a past thru-hiker and everyone is friendly and helpful.Tomorrow I'll head back out onto the trail, and if my plan goes according to schedule, I'll get to Erwin, TN on Sunday, hopefully before my food runs out.The weather has been wonderful; the temps in the low 70s, sunny, and warm. Spring has definitely sprung in the south.