April 9 and 10 - 11 / 282.8 miles

The rest of the day on the 9th was spent sitting around in Hot Springs. We all visited the shake place again to have 2nd to 5th shake. Yes, SB had five. My second one was a combo of German Chocolate and Black Cherry. After the shake stop, some went to the hardware store and others went to the outfitters. We all met back up again in order to go get a camp site. We ended up have to pay 20 dollars for a spot that wasn't even on the French Broad. I think we were all a little disappointed. Super Mike and is girlfriend, who is in town, ended up meeting up with us. we sat around talking about the trail and then went to a local place to hear live music. On the stage was suppose to be a bluegrass band; however it was more just country. It was still pretty good though.

We all went expecting to also eat dinner. We soon found out they closed the kitchen at 9 and it was just 9:15. I find it funny that it was a restaurant with live music until 10 or 10:30 and they stopped serving food. Luckily there was another table of thru-hikers. As they were leaving, one of the guys gave us a full bag of doritos, some Hostess cupcakes, and other goodies. We did not take too long cleaning it all out. Once the music was over, we asked if Gilly could play one of the guitars. The guy ended up letting her play while they took down their equipment. So for the next hour or so, Gilly, DM, and SB treated us to different songs. It definitely made the evening. The band and others in the restaurant joined in on the singing.

I thought I was going to die during the night. At some time in the morning hours a train came right by our tents. I must have been in the middle of a dream or something, but I literally thought I was on the tracks or something.

We took our time getting up this morning as we had planned a short day of 11 miles. We walked back into the town to get last minute things from the outfitter and then hit the trail around 11:30. We soon realized that there were tons of free camping spots on the other side of the river along the trail. I think that is the last time we will pay to camp. The hike today was really laid back, but we did get our fair share of excitement when it came to snakes. I was walking along the trail and right in the middle of the path was a 4 plus long black snake. DM and I waited for a few seconds to let him move off the trail. I didn't mess with it even though it wasn't poisonous. I told DM that Dark Star would be upset since he is our nature and animal guru. He gets it from his mom who is a science teacher (and now an awesome second mom to us on the trail).

All of us ended up stopping at a little pond for lunch. We ended up spending the next two or so hours swimming, resting in the sun, eating, and watching DS prepare for his future role as Steve Irwins replacement on the Animal Channel. DS caught a newt, tried to fish with a hook and bobber we found in a tree, told us about the different fish in the pond, and even took multiple attempts at catching snakes swimming through the pond. Eventually it paid off when we caught a two foot long Northern Water snake. I caught one of the attempts on film and will have it along with the black snake posted some time in the future.

We ended our travels today by checking out another fire tower on Rich Mtn and stopping at Spring Mtn Shelter. The shelter and tent area are pretty full with those who rolled out of Hot Springs. We can see the lights of Greeneville, TN down in the valley. DS again make a great concoction for a meal. It was a mix of instant potatoes, a real potato, wild onions he found, spices, part of a cheese log, cut up sausage stick, and cheesy mushroom ramen. I need to have him prepare my meals.

Tomorrow we are hoping to stop by a house owned by Fal and Hurcules. I read about them in a blog I followed of 2008 thru hikers. They open up their house to hikers for free meals all day long. It is about 4 miles from where we are right now so we are planning to stop for breakfast. They might be at church, but we are still going to check.

I hear others snoring so it is definitely past my bed time. I hope all are doing well.

BT