Note: This post will just cover through Saturday. There are some pictures I need to get from Gwen, so I’ll do another when we get to Erwin for our next resupply. All is going well, though, and I’m at mile 317.3 as I post this!

4/27 274.9

Rainy 18 miles into Hot Springs. Gwen and I joined Sprout and Billy Bob, and we all held a pretty nice pace and had a lovely hike in the rain. Thanks once more to Snore’s parents for some of the best trail magic yet, that fire when we stopped for a break in the cold rain was absolutely excellent. I found out that Billy Bob is also a pilot, so we had a nice long conversation about that. Definitely want to come fly the Hudson corridor with you sometime!

4/28 274.9

Very necessary zero day in Hot Springs, and it was wonderful. By the way, have I defined “zero day” yet on here? It just means a day when you don’t do any AT miles.

Country fried steak at the diner is exactly what I needed for breakfast. It was pretty neat being there for several folks’ first diner breakfast, as our group that morning came from South Africa, the UK, Quebec, France, and the US. I had to think a bit when I was asked to explain what biscuits are. Gwen and I had all our town chores done by noon, so it was absolutely amazing to just have the rest of the day to relax, nap, make phone calls, whatever. And then, Snore’s parents, once again being incredibly generous and awesome, hosted us all for fantastic smash burgers at their camper in the Hot Springs campground. Finally, a group of us finished off the evening at the Spring Creek Tavern before calling it a night. Perfect zero day.

4/29 285.9

Nice day getting back on trail. Leaving town was kinda fun because Gwen and I had at least three separate encounters along the way where we randomly encountered friends as we left town (some of those have already joined us where I’m camping now as I write this). Gorgeous views climbing above the French Broad River after leaving Hot Springs.