Date: 2018-04-12
From: Deer Park Shelter 

To: Hot Springs!
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to brilliant sunshine and a warm morning.Really appreciate little things like being able to feel my hands in the morning!  We only had a little over 3 miles to go today to get into Hot Springs so we did it fast so we could enjoy most of the day there.  The trail takes you right through Hot Springs.First thing we had to do was find a place to stay.We were super lucky  and scored the last room at Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn At 8:30.It was built in 1875 and is a Victorian beauty.The owner is one of the nicest people I¢ve ever run across.Just one of those people you feel really good around.He thru hiked in 1976.  We were starving for some real food so went to Smoky mtn diner and had a great breakfast.Southern breakfasts are amazing!While we were in there we met thru hikers Thirsty and Hungry.Ive been wanting to meet them.They are getting married  on the trail in Erwin next week.We also ran into Goldy locks.He is having feet problems and is leaving the trail for a few weeks.Good guy.I have no doubt he will finish  After breakfast we had time to kill before we could go to our room.We ran into Rampage and Cervesa.Cervesa is leaving because she has already done the trail and is a trail triple crowner.Super nice lady.Rampage is a really fast hiker so not sure if we will see her again but hope so Resupplied at Dollar General.It was kind of funny because everything That hikers eat was sold out.Guy working there looked frantic trying to keep shelves stocked.  Went back to Elmer¢s and got the house tour.It is an amazing place.25$ gets you a room and shower in this piece of history.He could charge so much more if he wanted to.I really would have liked to stay there a couple of nights but eventually I must get home.Its going to be hard to find a place this great again on the trail I think  It was a beautiful day so we headed down to Spring creek tavern to have a few birthday beers.Really nice place.Dog Whisperer showed up and bought me a bday beer.Really great guy.His wife is coming from Florida to hang out with him for a week or so.Hope we get to see him again for sure  Went back to Elmer¢s and decided just to hang out there for a while just because it¢s such a cool place.There is a huge upstairs porch overlooking the Main Street with beautiful trees.We met some new hikers and had a few beers here.Dirtybird is a girl from Tennessee who can¢t stand the sounds birds make.She is funny and nice though.Fuzzy Wuzzu was there.Hiccups from Florida.Firefly from NH.Our friend Cado was walking down the street so we told him to come on up.It turned into a little party.Chads Dad and a few others were there too.Really good time   We headed back to the tavern for dinner.Was craving salad so had that and a huge burger.It was a really fun time.Everyone from Elmer¢s was there and Moondrop and Dirtbag Dave and Fuzzy Wuzzy and more.Really great time talking with Cado   Not gonna lie.I had a hard time walking back to Elmer¢s with Comfortably Numb.But hey it¢s my birthday and it has been a really great one!Quite a few people here back at Elmer¢s having a great time.A lot of these guys and girls are in there 20s and I just can¢t keep up with them.They have all been really nice to us older guys though.  This has been a birthday I will never forget.Its like everyday is my birthday out here.Its all because of my Bethie.I love you more than words can tell my darling and I thank you for being you and understanding me.You are the best thing that¢s ever happened to me