After a four hour curvy drive, I finally arrived in Hot Springs NC with no cell phone service. Ok, now how to find the guys. Just as I pull into the small town, I see a hiker with full pack walking down the street. Yes Bruce was out for an early stroll with his backpack. Really, can't get enough. His story was he had been to the outfitter to get the straps adjusted. I pick him up and we go to the hostel to reunite Seth and Rylee. She was so excited to see him.
After a spaghetti lunch, provided by Molly, we decided to go in to town. Of course we had to go to the outfitters again and stop off at the post office. Then we went to the hot spring baths were they relaxed in a private natural hot bath to try to ease their aches, pains, sore muscles, and blisters.
I really enjoyed our dinner at a local restaurant on the deck listening to Herb and Hanson,a duet who will be playing trail day festivals thru the season. It was really nice being able to meet the other hikers, introduced only by their trail names and then hear the story on how they were named. Seth still doesn't really have one, but Crafty calls him twinkle toes as she says he dances when he goes now a steep grade. Most are calling Bruce Papa because Seth is calling him Pops.
The hikers are in a very unique community in that they all know each other and help each other out, by sharing rooms, resources, information, and expenses. There are no age, sex, or nationality barriers. I am amazed at the number of females and hikers from other countries, especially Germany.
They come from all backgrounds; communication students, retired realtors, students with masters in chemistry, retired engineers, environmentalist, married couples, but on this journey they are all thru hikers. I love meeting up with them and talking to the hikers and hearing their stories. I was able to spend some time with Breakless and Crafty, who they have been hike with the last week or so. Breakless is a Germany student who hopes to get this Doctorate in Sweden when he returns in the fall to start his job there. He told us that there is an Appalachian trail documentary that is being seen in Germany that has caused the huge influx on German hikers. I also met an older German couple. Crafty got her name from the items she makes and sews for her equipment. Seth says she is crafty in silently passing them on the trail. She is a small quiet student who lives in New Mexico and goes to school in NY. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to her. I hope they all stay together for a while.
I hope they enjoyed their zero day as much as I did.
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