Date: 2007-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Woke up this morning around 7:30am. Took a nice refreshing shower. Hooked up with my parents around 9:30am. They took BigBy & I out to breakfast at the diner once again. After breakfast we came back to the room so I could pack my things. Everyone was packing up preparing to hike out today. I'm not heading out. My ankle is hurting so my parents are putting me up at the Duckett House Inn for a couple of days. I said bye to the crew which sucked but I know I'm making the right decision. It's too early in the hike to be pushing an injury. I hate it but I need the rest. I'm sure I will catch them soon. My mom insisted she carry my gear to the Inn so I wouldn't have to walk on my ankle. She wouldn't give up so finally I did and got on the Goldwing with my dad. We got to the inn and I put down the stuff I was carrying and got back on. My dad had never given me a ride on his bike before so we went down Hwy 209 to put the Goldwing through her paces. That is one dern twisty road. My dad said that it was probably his favorite stretch of road ever. He also said that the bike rode way different with me on it than with my mom on it. I weigh a lot more than she does. We got passed by a bunch of sports bikes. They were all over the road all day. My dad and I got back to the inn just as my mom was walking in. We were the only people here. No one else was around. There was a welcome note left for me on the front door which was a very nice touch. My folks showed me around the house and showed me my room. I love this place. The house is 107 years old. It has a covered wrap around porch, big shade trees out front. Nice tables on the porch. A couple of herb gardens and a small chicken coop. The inside of the house is awesome. Antiques in every room. This is a very homey and very inviting place. We sat outside on the porch for a moment before my mom & dad went tearing off on the motorcyle to go into town and get me more than enough food to last me the rest of the day & night. Thanks so much! When they returned we chatted while I ate my awesome lunch. Then they had to leave to go back home. Once they left I was almost immediately hit by intense feelings of calm & peace. This place just melted everything else away. I sat on the porch for hours observing the birds on the feeder. I listened to the wind play its music. The owner Frank & Brian came home and guessed my name as they walked up. Thanks to my parents that they had been expecting me. Frank went over to the coup and let the chickens out so they could roam around. His dog Jack brought me his favorite ball and we played fetch for a bit. I spent the rest of the day watching Frank till his field with a tractor form a park bench placed in the sun. Their tabby cat jumped up on th bench with me so I pet it for a while. I iced my ankle and read all day. Around sunset Jack brought me a good fetching stick so we played again for a few minutes. Once it got dark I went inside and watched TV with Frank. I ate my huge salad my folks got me for dinner. We watched the Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad then it was time for me to go to bed. I have much needed sleep to catch up on which should be very easy tonight. I love the serenity of this place. I could spend the rest of my days here. Thanks mom & dad!THIS IS FOR YOU MOM....I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:The birds sang todaythe song my heart has longed to sing.For many years have passedSince I have heard the sounds of spring.BigShanty