April 8 and 9 - 13.1 / 271.8

Yesterday, I woke up after not getting too much sleep. The shelter was one from the 1930's. Every bit of wind went straight through the walls and shook the whole shelter. Also, Lab Rat, a gentleman in his 50's, kept making noises and kicking the wood. Even when he isn't sleeping, he will just yell "whooo!" I was planning to get up at 6, but since I couldn't sleep, I went ahead and started getting ready around 5:30. Sherlock, who was also in the shelter, kinda mumbled and complained when I started to get out of my sleeping bag. I spent the next 30 minutes packing my stuff and eating breakfast. I thought I was pretty quiet and considerate. However as I went back into the shelter, Sherlock said some choice English words and told me to "hurry up already." He said I was being inconsiderate for those still in the shelter. I really don't know what he was so upset about other than he thought I had been up for longer than I was. Bonnie Boy got up about 45 minutes before me, and I guess he thought it was me too. Plus, I made sure it was ok with everyone in the shelter that I got up so early.

A little frustrated with Sherlock, I finished putting my stuff together and headed out before the sun came up. I spent about the next hour hiking in the dark. At one point, something caught my eye on the trail. I stopped and that is when I looked about a foot in front of me and noticed a barb wire fence. Luckily I noticed it before it took out my legs. My eyes adjusted fairly well to the darkness.

I hike for about 5 or so miles until I saw the first person on the trail. He was putting in his pack and heading uo towards the trail. We said our good mornings. It wasn't 20 seconds later that we realized we both knew of Will. Will had actually thought about starting out hiking with him, but the timing didn't work out. We hiked for the next few miles together.

With about 3.5 miles left for the day, I could hear the rain coming. It is a pretty cool sound other than knowing you are about to get soaked. I started to put on my rain gear and that is when it started to pour. Ready to get to town and out of the rain, I kicked it into another gear I didn't know I had. I was even jogging down the trail at some points. I think I knocked out the last 3.4 miles in about an hour. The rain lightened up just as I was walking out of the woods and into town.

Wilson, a section hiker I had met the day before from Clarksville (just outside of Nashville), was at the trailhead. He owns/works at Beachaven Winery and is just on the trail for a month. I yelled for him, and he waited for me to catch up. I told him I was heading to the Smokey Mtn Diner to meet up with Will's parents, SB, and DM. Plus I had been craving a milkshake for the last few days and figured that would be the place to find one. SB and DM had already made it into town. They hiked through the night from the shelter. It gave them a 31 mile day. That is pretty impressive. Wilson and I entered the diner to find out they didn't have shakes. Upset, I jokingly gave the waitress a hard time. She was quick to give me a hard time right back. I ordered a hamburger and tater tots. Before it even got to the table, Super Mike called saying him and Will's parents were a few minutes out. They were dropping him back off in Hot Springs to meet up with his girlfriend. I finished my lunch, said later to Wilson, and headed down the main street of Hot Springs.

I found Will's parents at the outfitter. I said my hello and walked a little further down to a place that had milkshakes. I got a chocolate and strawberry shake. It met all expectations. Soon after, DM, SB, Will's parents, and I were off to the house they had rented. Also there was Will's grandparents, his younger brother and friend, some cousins, Will, Skylar, and Gilly. We relaxed for the rest of the evening, told stories, laughed about some of the people we had met since we all split, and ate a wonderful southern style dinner.

This morning we woke up to breakfast which included eggs and pancakes. For lunch, it was tacos...all was excellent. Throughout last night there were some fierce games off ping pong and card games. Not bragging, but I must say I won most. Ok, maybe I am not telling the full truth. Oh yeah, we also had an impromptu talent show last night. I started it off with juggling oranges. We also told jokes, played signs, and played my favorite game, Brain Fry. Finally, I showed Mr. Rhyne and the others how to pull an egg through a door. I can show you if you ever want to know.

We are currently on our way back to Hot Springs, NC. For the rest of the day we plan to resupply, do some laundry, and catch a bluegrass concert in town. Some also plan to visit a music room at the hostel to just mess around with what instruments are there. SB and I plan to get a few milkshakes too. We might hike out tonight, but only time will tell. Stay turned.