Date: 2013-05-02
From: Deer Park Mtn Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.9

2 MayDeparted: Walnut Mtn Shelter 0830 hoursWoke up this morning after a good nights sleep! The wind was blowing all night and it was cool. I slept about 10 hours. I am beginning to believe that I am catching up on ALL the sleep that I have lost throughout my life. Waking up, my eyes are a little puffy. After a ample breakfast (Oatmeal & Peanut Butter + Jelly) White Sidewalls and I walked 3.2 miles this morning at an easy pace arriving in Hot Springs, NC. Achilles feeling MUCH better! Walking with White Sidewalls remains helpful! No previous reservations, however, we were fortunate enough to get a room at the Alpine Court (Single Room, Double Bed, Shower, Clean Sheets) $47 w/tax. Lunch 12 ounce hamburger + French Fries w/White Sidewall. OUTSTANDING! Laundry washed - Interesting, that every stop I wash or get the same clothes washed. Reminds me of when I was a child, not such an assortment of clothes, which were washed every week. Completed partial resupply (5 dinners [Mtn House Pro Pak], 5 lunches [Pro Bars], 5 morning snacks [Clif Bars], 1 Core Pro Bar, 1 Gu Pak). Checked body weight at the Outfitters, I am down 8lbs (182 to 176). Members of the community told us about a Pot Luck dinner this evening for the hikers. As hungry as most hikers are for a home cooked meal I suspect the event will have a good representation from the hikers. *My Trip Advisor Review" of Red Roof InnIf you expect to check into the Red Roof Inn (100 rooms +/-) before 2 o'clock, THINK AGAIN! Recently, coming off the Appalachian Trail with tendonitis (Achilles), I had the unexpected displeasure of staying at this motel. What made my experience unpleasant was the motel manager. Arriving at the hotel at approximately 11 o'clock I entered the Red Roof Inn and requested a room. For a moment I thought I was appearing in an episode of Jerry Seinfeld / Jerry Patel. Ms Sheila immediately told me that check in was not until 2 o'clock. Now, you must understand that I have stayed in hotels/motels around the world, Tokyo, London, Paris, Manila, Los Angeles, D.C etc., and it was not until I reached Newport, Tennessee that I found the hotel/motel manager to be very unreasonable! IF the room was unavailable because it needed to be cleaned, management would tell you take a seat and will notify you when the room is ready! Understanding, that most NORMAL establishments, concerned about "customer service" have said "by all means would you like some coffee until the room is ready?" I asked Miss Sheila if I can have a seat, in the waiting area (of the empty motel) and wait until the room was ready (BTW- the parking lot had three cars, one was hers!). Miss Sheila said "No . . . go sit over in the Waffle House, nextt store, check in is not until 2 o'clock!" Again, thinking that I am on some type of Reality Show, I asked if I could leave my credit card to hold the room? The Room Nazi responded ". . . check in is not until 2 o'clock!"I was relegated to sitting in front of the EMPTY Red Roof Inn, because I was on foot, until 2! Why did I stay after the manner in which I was treated? I needed to make maximum use of the jacuzzi to assist in rehabilitating my tendonitis. So, I now understand the Red Roof Inn mantra of ". . . hassle free" service are just words to publish! Also, know that with Red Roof Inn you only get to stay 21 of the 24 hours that you pay for, particularly when the motel is empty! Enjoy ". . . Check in NOT until 2!"~AArrived: Hot Springs 1030 hoursHikers I met today:MessSly Fox & Rage / Zepher + Spice - reconnectedSurrounded by mountains, the town of Hot Springs (discovered by the Cherokee Indians before before white men arrived) is a whitewater Mecca and served as a GREAT intersection. The confluence of Spring Creek and the French Broad River provided me with the idyllic setting for 100 acres resort, that is reminiscent of Woodstock. Resupplied my consumables, 12 ounce hamburger for lunch! That evening the Hot Springs community provided the AT Hikers with a variety of foods "pot luck" that was OUTSTANDING. This was ONLY surpassed by the violinist and pianist proving the entertainment. It was nice to reconnect with some of the hikers I have not seen for quite some time. 2215 appointment at the modern (privately-owned) jacuzzi-style tubs housed in wooden structures along the river banks. At $15 (1 hour) it was a deal for the opportunity to sit in the thermal mineral water, steam rising from the tub! Damn, it just does not get better than this mystical experience. The ONLY thing better would have been to enjoy this during the day to see the "blue herons majestically flying overhead."