Date: 2009-04-01
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Wed Apr 1, Day 22: We ended up putting eight hikers in a six person shelter last night. A couple of late comers had to tent. It rained last night, nothing new there. At least it stayed reasonably warm inside the shelter.I really enjoy the group of hikers I'm with right now. All young but all bright or "locked on" as we used to say in the P.D. Trump, Turn Around, Phoenix, Mr. Green Tea, and Wompus Cat all stayed up telling their stories, mostly about characters they met, or food, or blisters. Of course we all talk about equipment: How much ya carrying? Does your rain gear work? What stove do you use? Do you have any Ibuprofen (aka, "Vitamin I")?Phoenix and Nice Lenses both bought a quart of "Mountain Dew" and were eager to get rid of the weight. We all took a nip - it was smooth stuff which can double as cooking fuel!Another first took place sometime during last night in the Roaring Fork Shelter, where the mice activity was pretty vigorous. I was laying there sorta feeling something messing around my head, and a darn mouse came up and popped an ear plug out of my ears. Stole my ear plug, the little varmint, and ran off with it before I could get my headlamp on to see which way it went! That was a first for me. I guess it just needed a pillow or maybe some stuffing for its den or something, I don¢t know. I have to watch my ear plugs from this point forward, or maybe I should stop making them out of French Bread... Lots of hikers have found acorns or families of mice in their backpacks in the morning. Who knew mice were so prone to hitching rides that way?Left the Roaring Fork Shelter and did 18 miles thereabouts into Hot Springs. From the shelter (3,950') it was a downhill start to just below the 3,000 foot level then a couple of climbs over Walnut Mountain (4,260') and Bluff Mountain (4,686'). From the Bluff Mountain summit I descended most of the way over the remaining 10 miles to arrive in Hot Springs way down at 1,325'.My legs are sore from the heavy mileage I've been putting in lately. Hot Springs is my first town to Zero in - take a day without hiking at all. Kim worked it out to come visit and my brother Mike is in the area tomorrow on business. I'm excited about the chance to get to see them! Once again, The Thru-Hiker's Handbook is spot on: "A true trail town. Small, friendly, everything you need within walking distance." I¢m staying here at Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn, which is legendary among AT thru-hikers. It¢s a very eclectic Victorian house that I would kinda describe as a cross between a Rocky Horror Picture Show thing and maybe an Addams Family house? There are a lot of great artifacts inside. Of course a hot shower and laundry also were tops on my list when I got into town. Exterior of Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. Click on picture to see full size. The Music Room Living area Comfy bed in the InnThe guy who runs the Inn offers thru-hikers a wonderful breakfast and dinner. All vegetarian and the thing is nobody ever goes away hungry, and that¢s a fact. Right now the chef is a thru-hiker who is staying here. He cooked up a fantastic dinner tonight complete with broccoli soup, salad, vegetarian stir fry, and home made apple pie complete with fresh whipped cream. I'm full as a tick! An abundance of food in the kitchen Hikers on the back porchI stopped by Bluff Mountain Outfitters and their scale said I weighed 160 which is down from my weight of 178 at the start of the adventure. I'm not sure if I believe that. I'll let Kim and Mike decide when we meet tomorrow. Time to organize my stuff and hit the sack. I'm tired and want to put my feet up! Click here for audio journal