Date: 2016-03-23
From: Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Slept like a dream last night in my queen bed, but as usual couldn't manage to sleep in at all. I was up around 7 though I really didn't have much to do until breakfast at 8:30. I packed up and ran across to the dollar general to pick up some more contact solution, of which I'm nearly out. Breakfast at Sunnybank was impressive! This morning I ate two homemade waffles with strawberries and real maple syrup, a bowl of granola and yogurt, two pieces of cantaloupe and a lovely spicy vegetable medley. I mean, I don't know if it compares to the crumbly pop tarts I've been eating every morning, but for six bucks, it was pretty damn good. The topic of the morning was bear attacks, apparently, one subject I dont contribute much to. Almost everyone I was with yesterday is zeroing, except for Judge, but he wants to take it easy and only do 11 miles today. Right as breakfast was wrapping up, Magic of all people walked in! I hope I see him again soon. It took me quite a while to leave Hot Springs. I had to repack my bag, run to the other side of town for an ATM because they didn't take card, try the other ATM because the first didn't work, come back, hang outside the public library to use their wifi to update my journal and text my parents, and only then did I finally walk down Bridge Street with my pack on ready to leave. It was after 10 by the time I started officially walking. I'm almost sorry I didn't zero there. It's a place I could see myself spending a week at. I really loved my time in Hot Springs. The trail crossed the river on the automobile bridge and then hopped the guardrail down the river's edge, which it followed for probably half a mile before switch backing up the ridge I had just been hiking below, and hit a number of impressive rock outcroppings with gorgeous views of the town. I wish I could bottle up how I felt this morning. Something about the perfect weather, the trail and my time in Hot Springs combined to make me feel like I was the luckiest man in the world to be doing what I'm doing right now. I know some people resent when the trail hits roads, or sees signs of civilization, but I've come to like road crossings and the like. Today the trail followed a gravel road next to a pond and through a gorgeous meadow before splitting off again. I made the hike up Rich Mountain and did the extra side trail to the tower. It was ehh, the least exciting one we've seen yet. I ate lunch up there and met Tesla and Grits, a couple hiking the trail together. The afternoon passed uneventfully. The trail became the border of a prescribed burn area for about 7 miles, which was strange and spooky. It was good to have tips back on my poles. My pack was heavy and a few short sections of the climbs up to Little Laurel Shelter were seriously steep! This was one of my latest arrivals, about 6:20, but considering I started 90 minutes or two hours after I normally do, it wasn't an above average day. Already at the shelter were two older gentlemen, Ghost (who is from Rutland VT) and Fast Eddy, who has a big gray beard, a voice shot from smoking and a real cowboy hat, as well as Bang Bang , whom I met earlier, who is travelling with two other hikers, Moonshine and Doubtfire, who together are working to make a documentary about the trail! Their bags apparently each weigh 60 pounds because of their camera equipment. They are also vegan. Two challenges I am glad not to have on the trail. The older folks turned in and I spoke to the three filmmakers as they made dinner. The tent spots did not appeal to me and Bang Bang is the only other one in the shelter, so I'm sheltering. Again. Jeez, I haven't set up my tent since frickin Standing Indian Mountain. Today marks 20 days on the trail, making this now the longest time I've spent backpacking! It was funny, someone asked me this morning how my hike was going, and I didn't know whether he meant this morning or in all, but my unconscious and immediate answer was a resounding "Wonderful!" Seriously. It's been a great time so far. It's amazing to me also that some people have now been out here for almost twice as long as I have. I move pretty quick, comparatively, and I'm still probably gonna get stronger and lose more weight. Tomorrow should continue the set of around 20-mile days. I'll have some beautiful views in the morning, it looks like, and I'll hit the 300-Mile mark! Gnight!