Date: 2003-04-18
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

We hadn't intended to post another journal entry until our hike resumed, but it's been an interesting week worthy of an update.Last Friday we arrived in Hot Springs,NC and started looking for a place to stay on a weekly basis. Our first stop was Bluff Mtn Outfitters. Just as 3/3 was asking the owner,Suzie and Anna walked by. The owner tapped on the window to get their attention. Turns out, they have a practically new mobile home sitting vacant in their backyard. Talk about trail angels and overwhelming generosity we have experienced on this hike! Anna and Suzie offered to let us stay as long as needed. Their yard is beautiful. We look out the door and see a rock waterfall and pond, as well as pretty spring flowers. We also have daily visits from Toby and Cleo {short for Cleopatra}, their pups.   I went to the local clinic on Monday. My lungs sound better so I'll get another xray next week to see if the antibiotics have done their job. Bob is also feeling better and has gone on some day hikes while I rest and watch HGTV. I've also seen a dentist here for my previous root canal, which is stil sensitive and inflammed. Hopefully that will get better.We had rented a car in Sevierville, TN, and Bob had to return it on Monday with no way to get back to Hot Springs other than by foot. Another lucky break and outpouring of friendship and generosity solved this dilemma when he ran into Anne and Kathy, our good friends from Franklin, NC. They had come to Trailfest in Hot Springs on Saturday. When they found out about the rental car, they insisted they'd meet him in Sevierville and bring him back to Hot Springs. This was no short trip for them, at least 200 miles. How many times have they come to our rescue? Many thanks to both of them. We have seen a lot of hikers passing through town, like Night Fever, Sour Mash, Circuit Rider, Sherlock, Milo, Hattaras, and many others. People here in Hot Springs are very nice to hikers, and most hikers spend more time in town than planned.We received a couple of pocketmail messages from 1/3 saying she'd be in Hot Springs by the end of the week. On Thursday afternoon she showed up, but unfortunately, her news was not good. She had tripped on a root and fallen. Her ankle was extremely swollen, and it was difficult for her to walk. Once again, trail magic and the kindness of strangers came to the rescue. A young couple section hiking came up on Christine and gave her the keys to their car so she could get to town. How trusting is that! They told her to leave the car at the trailhead and they'd get it later. Jane, another very nice lady in Hot Springs, drove 1/3 and 3/3 to the clinic. An xray indicates an "avulsium fracture" of a bone in her foot. She saw a nurse practitioner, but has to return to the clinic on Monday to see a doctor. We'll know more then about her injury and how it will affect her hike. She was doing so well and had made such good friends, it's extremely disappointing for her to be sidelined by this injury! This is when a parent would have rather been injured than to see their child have to go through this. She'll have to decide whether she'll skip a section and make it up on the way home so she can catch up with her friends or return to the site of the injury and start there. We'll know more on Monday and will add an entry to let you know how she's doing. Happy Easter to everyone. Diane 2/3