Date: 2009-05-07
From: Asheville, NC

To: Allen Gap Campsite
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

This morning we awoke to our last morning in Asheville. After quickly getting ready, Pilgrim took me and Ninja to Hot Springs. On the way, we resupplied at Ingles Supermarket, where I purchased pasta sides, tuna, sardines, fruit, milk, yogurt, bananas, trail mix and an assortment of other incidentals. We had a slight scare with the car as the key wouldn't start. we were nearly stuck halfway in-between Hot Springs and Asheville! Yikes!We said our goodbyes in Hot Springs. Pilgrim was heading back to DC to surprise his girlfriend and rest his injured heel. Ninja and I headed into the diner at HS where saw Scree Freak, Nano, Chef, and Walking Home. We enjoyed reading letters that a 4th grade class from Hot Springs had written to us (just thru-hikers in general) asking innocent questions and telling stories of their own experiences 'hiking' on the Appalachian Trail. Nano was able to impersonate many of the children's voices very well. It was great to be back in his company. Then, just walking down the street, we managed to see Voodoo and Tattoo, Kate from Alaska (Lamb Chops), Transition, RLB, and Pussyfoot. I made a quick trip to the outfitter to pick up some new batteries and new Superfeet, which I soon found out would give me blisters again. I don't plan on experiencing that again! After catching up with everyone back in town, it was time to set forth!Walking alongside the mighty French Broad river that was turbulently raging and was a dark brown color due to huge downfalls of rain in recent weeks, we began a steady climb above the town. The initial ascent and views of the countryside were marvelous! The mountains were, again, a luscious green color - completely full and vibrant. The sky was as blue as can be and the intermittent white puffy cumulus clouds hung high in the sky casting their shadows on the ground below. I think that I actually stopped at nearly every vista point to survey the scene. Breathtaking!Later on in the day, I arrived at the first shelter, where I met Bon Bon, Dangle, and Collins. Pigeon, RLB, and Ninja were also there. Just as I sat down on the wooden shelter floor and began to massage my calf muscles, I noticed a small bug that had been crawling in my skin. A tick! Ahh, it was the first of the season for me and I hope that it will be the last! Supposedly, lyme disease is most heavily connected to the trail in the states of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. I'll have to be very careful as I walk through these areas. I decided to hike on as I had already made some very good time and the sun was still high in the sky. During this second stint, I enjoyed listening to Ernest Hemingway's 'The Sun Also Rises' as an audiobook on my iPod. This classic has always been on my to-do list, but I never managed to get around to it. It is slow moving, but it's still pretty good. Although I was supposed to hike all the way to the next shelter, nearly 19 miles down the trail, I decided to camp with RLB and Ketchup 15 miles in. It was great catching up with both of them again as I hadn't seen them for a long while. I'm camping again - the first time in a long while. I really enjoy being in the tent, away from the mice and snoring of each shelter. However, due to the lack of a ground floor, little bugs and worms always manage to crawl their way underneath the tent and onto my sleeping bag or body. I don't mind it too much, but it is still something to consider. We are expecting a big rain tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it. Good night to all!