Today was exactly what I had hoped for, for the most part! Max and I woke up this morning with 3.4 miles to go to get into Hot Springs North Carolina. This was such a great feeling considering we are about to take 2 days in town to rest and recuperate. The best part about it is that our families were gonna meet us in town.
Our families weren't going to be to Hot Springs until later in the evening so when we awoke after a sleepless night, at least for me. We decided to take it easy and not get in a rush to get into town. Why get into town and sit around until the evening? This might have been a mistake, with our minds skewed from the unreliable weather report, we set out for Hot Springs around 9.
Side story... the reason the night was so sleepless was due to being kept awake by the sound of scurrying mice along the rafters and walls of the shelter. This was an all night ordeal that started at around 7 in the evening. Yes, we went to bed at 7, because we got into a shelter with a group of early birds. So while everyone else is tired and sleeping Max and I are wide awake laugh and trying to see the mice. Let me tell you, sometimes it can be quite hard to be quiet in the shelter. Anyways, the mice were just looking for food that hikers might have dropped throughout the day. I had a few times where they would run across the top of my sleeping pad, or try to get into my hat which was nasty, and also the reason why I couldn't sleep. By morning no damage was done though and we were able to pack up and head for town.
Now, back to hiking to town. Around 200 yards from the shelter we noticed 2 grave sites which was creepy. Some say they haunt the shelter, I say it was the mice that did the haunting. But nevertheless after around half a mile down the trail it starts to pour rain. Completely caught us off guard due to the fact that the weather reports said it was supposed to be clear until 10 that evening. So we threw on our rain gear and decided to make a quick trip of the last 3 miles. Needless to say we made it down the mountain to town in under an hour. Oh and the rain decided to stop as we reached town also!
Once we got into town we were informed of a free breakfast for hikers. There is nothing more satisfying to here, especially when you had no breakfast because you ran out of food, than free food! So Max and I went to check it out. A local ministry outreach program was the ones hosting this free breakfast. The owner of a small house trailer right inside of town has been doing this for a few years __________. What was cool was churches from around the country can sign up for a week during the hiking season to come and serve the hikers breakfast and lunch. This is such a great idea! The place stayed pack the whole day and man of the hikers were able to take resupply backs that had the book of John in them.
After amazing breakfast, we went to the local outfitter to pick up a few things. One of the items I had to get was another pair of shoes. It might be hard to believe, but over just 270 or so miles, my feet have grown a whole size bigger. This is due to hiking for extended period of time with extra weight on my back. Another item is a long sleeve light weight shirt for sunny days. I've already gotten burnt a time or two out here and sunscreen is to heavy to carry in my opinion.
We then met up with another hiker named Jedi and went to get some lunch. The only time we had previously met Jedi was last night before we went to bed. He came rolling in late after a long day of hiking. So when we went to get lunch at the Spring Creek Tavern we were able to get to know him better. He was from California, and previously in the Air Force. I thought it was neat that he mentioned that he kept his Bible on his kindle. I never thought of that and it saves a ton on weight. While eating this huge black and blue burger, which was delicious, we met some guys Jedi was previously hiking with. It was two older gentlemen who were section hiking the whole trail. After talking to them for a while, they offered to give us a ride to Max's cabin. Their names were Obi One and I forget the other
Before they finished their lunch though, Max and I were able to run to the local ice cream shop and get the best ice cream I might have ever ate. It consisted of a warm apple fritter on the bottom with a huge scoop of cinnamon ice cream topped with cinnamon apple slices and whipped cream.
After ice cream we met back up with them and rode up to Max's cabin. It was great to get a shower and relax a little while as we waited on our families to get there. His family arrived first around 4! So I hung out with them for a while which was cool to see some familiar faces, plus I kinda feel like part of their family now! We went to the local diner around 6:30 which is where I my family met me.
Couldn't put into words how glad I was to see them. This weekend is one that I have been waiting for, for quite some time. After eating a huge 20oz hamburger steak with gravy and mashed potatoes, we headed off to our cottage! We are staying at Myra' Cottage, this place is awesome. It is a little cottage in the woods that is surrounded by a scenic view! My favorite part is the back porch that overlooks a little stream and grassy area. I wouldn't mind living here.
So needless to say it has been a fun filled, busy day. It's now time to let my body recover a little bit!
I hope everyone is doing well back home! Thanks again for all the support and prayers!
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Location:Myra's Cottage
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