My best intentioned plans for today were wasted!
So I had to get a ride back to Hot Springs from Asheville. I arranged a shuttle via Bluff Mountain Outfitters in Hot Springs. While I waited for the driver to arrive, I ate lunch at the Waffle House across the street from my hotel. There, I had one of the BEST cheesesteak sandwiches I’ve ever had.
The driver finally arrived by 100pm. Being that Hot Springs is about an hour’s drive, that would put me hiking by 2 or 230pm. That would make my planned 11 mile day near impossible. No worries though, as there are several campsites less than 11 miles.
The shuttle driver had several stops to make along the way. One of them was a 30 minute visit to my favorite store of all time, Walmart. (NOT!!!) These stops conspired to delay my arrival in Hot Springs. We pulled into town a little past 3pm.
First, I had to mail my bounce box to Erwin at the Post Office. By now, it’s about 330pm. With starting this late, I decided to just stay put and get an earlier start tomorrow. I checked into a room at a hotel across from the Post Office.
I then walked around town and much to my surprise, there were familiar faces here. Maynard, White Rabbit, Whistler and a few others I’d seen in Gatlinburg and at Standing Bear Farm. We all hung out at the Spring Creek Tavern for food, drinks and hiker talk. Most of these guys arrived here last week and stayed here over the weekend for a local music festival.
It’s nice to see them, but I have no illusions of hiking with them. These folks are late starters, and it’s a possibility they won’t even be moving on tomorrow. So my plan is to start hiking semi-early in the morning and at the very least, bust out that 11 mile day to the first shelter site.
Until then, wandering on!
Mojo
Hey Mojo! I have been reading all the advice you are getting. Let me tell you, your brother nailed it. Keep on going as long as you need to. Remember, we all love you no matter what decisions you make in the future, and damn proud of you. Oh, and I like the idea of hanging your underwear on your back. That ought to get you some company. Bwahaaahaaa! May the force be with you.
This is one of those small world stories Kelly. My youngest Nicole is doing the Outward Bound Leadership Hike again this summer. She will be in Asheville today and will be hiking in the Pisgah National Forest, just west of you till Sunday. Send her some good MOJO for me!! 🙂
Kelly,
Listen to the lyrics of this song.
Hey there Bro! Catching up on your blog today before I go in to work! I still love seeing all of the pics and videos AND your selfies! I am so proud of your determination. Even through down days and being lonely you still seem to keep a positive attitude. I think some of your feelings are a part of everyday life. Even the rest of us here in our everyday normal work weeks and such experience those same feelings. Remember you ARE HUMAN! If everything you posted was full of fabulous awesomeness and having the best time ever we would think that to be a little odd (especially coming from someone sleeping in a tent, on the ground, with gnats, eating freeze dried foods 🙁 ). It is a journey and it will come with ups and downs. You gotta take the good with the bad. We are all here cheering in your corner. I can’t wait to talk to you. I MISS YOUR FACE! Hugs from little sis! Love you!