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May 31, Tuesday (1883.4 mtg)
Up
at our usual time to begin our trek to Hot Springs for resupply
and part of a day in town. We said goodbye to the kids and their
counselors and headed off. The wildlife encountered on this stretch
of trail became the highlights for this morning. We saw a skunk
pass across the trail a little ahead of us on the trail, and later
encountered a wounded groundhog that would not let us pass. It would
not get out of the way for anything! We poked and prodded it with
a long stick, but it just bit the stick in anger. Perhaps that is
how it became injured originally as a previous hiker tried to get
it to move off the trail with his staff. Finally we decided to climb
around the beast on the side of the hill above the trail. We made
good time this morning and dropped into Hot Springs at about 11
am.
As the Catholic Hostel is basically the first thing we encountered
upon entering town, we checked it out first. For six dollars you
could have a shower and a spot in the bunkroom along with kitchen
privileges. It is a nice place, but I had stayed there before, and
there was a new place in town that opened up it's doors to hikers.
An old house converted by a former hiker was now just down the street
and offered a private room and shower for eight dollars. An additional
five dollars got you a wonderful vegetarian dinner. We chose the
inn for thirteen dollars. We picked up our mail at the post office,
went back to the hostel to leave a note for the Chiefs who would
be coming in later that evening. A sight to behold was provided
at the local laundry facility as we shed virtually everything that
we had and took the opportunity to freshen up our shorts, shirt
and socks. Near the laundry I gouged myself on some real protein
contained in a genuine "trail burger" for only $1.95 along
with a side of fries. Of course that was appetizing, but not nearly
enough, so we bought a half gallon of butter pecan ice cream and
other groceries for the next leg of our journey and headed back
to our room at the inn for dessert. Jim and I each consumed one
quart of the ice cream as we lounged on the porch while rocking
and relaxing in the rocking chairs that provided an old time atmosphere.
Supper was excellent! It all started with creamed asparagus soup,
then salad, brown rice, mixed vegetables, and peppermint tea. That
was topped off with homemade Gingerbread cake. I was stuffed! We
sat around the table after supper and yapped with Beth
and Dave (other thru-hikers), a guy from England, Tom and Mary,
and the Owners Elmer and Gary. Later I ate a can of mixed fruit,
and headed off to bed. This was my second time in Hot Springs and
I still could not get up the nerve to visit the condemned Hot Springs
Spa on the outskirts of town. Illegal entry during the night into
the rundown buildings was the only way to sample the hot springs.
I guess I did not want to stay up late enough to give it a go. This
resort town of the past was supposedly used to house German prisoners
of war during World War II. I heard they did not want to leave after
they were released.
Gonzo!
Appalachian Trail Journals ©1983
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