Date: 2012-09-29
To: Elmer's Hostel/Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up and set out early. Two of the guys in the shelter last night said they are injured and unable to continue. They have a plan to get back to their vehicles parked in the Max Patch parking lot and drive to Hot Springs, N.C. to meet the other two in their party. The other two packed up and are planning to make it into Hot Springs later tonight. The morning is a little foggy but at least the rain has stopped. The trail started was fairy level starting out today. My blisters are better and I tried to start out with no blister care this morning. That was a mistake. I stopped quickly and bandaged my foot. Not too long after I bandaged my blistered foot my ankle started giving me problems. I reached the first shelter at around noon right as it started to rain again. There was a character in the shelter (he occupied the whole shelter with his gear) that said his trail name was "Crazy Joe". I could see how he got his trail name. There was also a group of hikers camped behind the shelter that were finishing packing up. Crazy Joe told me the trail consisted of PUD's (pointless ups and downs) before it reached Hot Springs. The trail was flat for a ways. Right before I got to the first good uphill my ankle started really hurting. At the same time the group of hikers from the last shelter caught up to me and I moved over to the side to let them pass and rest my ankle. This was the first time I had ever been passed while moving. About half way up the group was stopped. They appeared to be arguing over the tactics they were using. I passed them and one of them said "I will see you again shortly". I wasn't sure what he meant by that and I never saw him again to ask. This was a weekend and I was surprised how many people were on the trail today. Several groups complained about how wet they were and looked like they were trying to get off the trail. The last part of the trail was all downhill. I arrived in Hot Springs sooner than I thought. I stopped at the first hostel that is right at the spot the trail arrives at Hot Springs. I opened the door and asked if anyone was there. I got no response. I decided to check out the other hostel in town. The trail was a little confusing as it entered the town. It actually goes right down the sidewalk down the main strip. I stopped and ate lunch at the diner in town. It was very good and the cost was reasonable. I then crossed the street to Elmer's Hostel. I had been told on the trail to go around to the back and take off my shoes and enter through the back door. I walked around back and there was a note on the door from Elmer saying he was at a function out of town and would be back around 9pm. It said for hikers to take either room 5 or 6 and make ourselves at home. There were several hikers in the house. 2 I hadn't met before and Shiva! He had made it in the day before but was taking a zero! Janna also stayed at the hostel. Janna had family friends pick her up and take her to dinner and the rest of us walked to the local outfitter. Shiva negotiated and bought a hat and t-shirt for fairly cheap. Afterwards we crossed the street to the local pub for dinner. The atmosphere was nice and we listened to some local live music while we ate. Afterwards we returned to the hostel. The hostel was quite unique. It is an historical landmark. It was built in the late 1700's I believe. It has 14 rooms. It mainly caters to hikers. Non-hikers can stay there but I have heard accounts of them being refused service or asked to leave. Elmer is quite a character himself. I met him the following morning as we ate breakfast the following. We all were required to sit around the table (if you chose to eat breakfast at the house. It was an additional charge of $6) and introduce ourselves, tell where we from and why we were on the trail. The breakfast (and all meals served at the house) are vegetarian. It was quite nice. They serve breakfast at the diner across the street that I have heard is good also. After breakfast I walked back down to the outfitter and used the Internet and then walked across the street and washed clothes. Once done I walked back to the hostel and finished packing up. My ride arrived and my trip was over. I am already looking forward to the next one!