Date: 2016-04-24
From: Old Road

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 7.5

It was really nice out last night and I had a great night sleep on top of my knoll. I slept soundly and woke up at 6:20am. I did the normal camp breakdown and ate my breakfast and then headed down off of my knoll. I met Chuckles, Chicken Fry, and Thin Mint at the bottom as they were having their breakfast. Everyone remaked how they slept great. After a short conversation I headed down the trail with 7.5 miles to get to Hot Springs. I was curious how Jenn, whose trail name is Norway, was doing. I made good time as it was a beautiful day. I stopped at the first shelter around 9:30am. There was one woman still at the shelter and she said "Norway" had left about forty five minutes earlier. I then headed back down the trail with 3.2 miles to town. It was a nice gradual down hill all the way to the village. The first place you come to is a hostal. I asked a few hikers if Norway had been there and they said she had just left. I caught up to her a few minutes later and we walked into town. The AT goes right down Hot Springs Main Street. As soon as we got down to the main strip we ran into Elektra, who is now Rock City, because she is from Detroit. It was good to see her as I started with her and had not seen her since the 2nd or 3rd day on the trail. She was catching a shuttle and was getting back on the trail today. After catching up with her she headed out and Norway and I checked out a few places to stay, but they were already full. There are bad wild fires in the mountains just outside of town and the trail is currently closed past Hot Springs for fifteen or so miles. We eventual found room at the Laughing Heart Lodge Hostel. I went right into town after we checked in and Norway stayed back and got herself settled first. I went straight to the outfitters store to get new shoes. I tried on about six different brands before finally buying some Keens. I then went to the Laundry Matt. When I went to put my clothes in the dryer this very unfriendly lady from the motel in town was using all the dryers and had more to dry after. I did not want to deal with it so I took my wet clothes back to the hostal and hung them on the clothes line, which ended out working better anyways. From there I took a shower and put on some town clothes that the hostal provided. I went to the Smoky Mountain Diner and found Chuckles and Thin Mint there. I stop and talk with them for a while and order a burger. I would see them again later at the hostal. After eating I ran into Norway and we went to the river and stuck our feet and ankles in the cold water for twenty minutes. On the way back to the hostal we hit the Dollar General and picked up a few things, including ice cream! Once back at the hostal I went through my pack, figured out my food situation and decided to take another shower but this time I shaved my face after, which took forever because I was using a cheapo razor and I had a months worth of growth. I am not use to having that much facial hair and I really did not care for it. It has been pretty warm so it was time for it to go. So sadly for all those who wanted a full thru hikers beard it is not going to happen. It was also nice because several people commented that I looked 10 years younger without it. I went out and socialized for a while and told Chuckles and Thin Mint they had to figure out a trail name for me. Thin Mint pretty quickly said "Baby Face" I am not sure about that one, but it has been almost three hundred miles and I have only met three other hikers without a trail name, so hopefully soon. What do you all think of "Baby Face" for when I shave I have good healthy looking face skin and most people out here have beards. I am not sure what I am doing tomorrow. The trail is closed for the next fifteen miles. They are doing free shuttles but I heard you have to sign up and they may all be full tomorrow. My next food drop is only a mile from where they are shuttling us too. My package is suppose to be there sometime tomorrow, but I am not sure it will be. It is in Knoxville now. I guess I will just figure out tomorrow tomorrow. I am sure it will all work out. Tonight I am sleeping on a pretty comfortable futon and life is pretty darn good.