Saturday, April 22, 2006: Walnut Mtn Shelter to Hot Springs, NC....13mi

Cold and windy last nite in my tent...propably about 45 degrees...we got in late after a long day..set up camp...had supper and went to bed with the knowledge that tomorrow we would be in Hot Springs in time for their Spring Festival...Trail Fest...a celebration of the hiker community... I got in about 1400 and checked into my room at the 160 y/o victorian hostel called the Sunny Bank Inn... Quite a nice place with plenty of friendly faces to go around...I took a much needed shower and went to do my laundry...As you probably already guessed Im not carrying much of a wardrobe with me on this trip... I have trail clothes and clothes to sleep in...LOL...thats it...so get use to lookin at me in tan and green...lol I went by the festival square a little later and mingled with the other hikers met up with Gingo, Donkey, and a few others and we went for a beer and later Gringo and I went for dinner and met up with a group of about 6 55-65 y/o hikers doin the trail together and had supper with them...Quite an interesting group I think Ill be seeing them again...Ranger Dog and company... Couldnt get a signal for the cell phone anywhere in town so I used the calling card for the first time to phone home and check in...

Pictures:
1. Thats Donkey walking ahead of me through a Rhotodendrum forest...This would be spectacular when in bloom...
2. Another stunning wildflower found along the trail... These help to make my days out here...
3. A trail sign indicating my arrival to Hot Springs...
4. A "before shower" pic at the AT monument in the Center of Hot Springs...
5. The gang meets in the center of town for after shower pics... Trail Fest is going on right across the street... I took a day off from hiking here to rest my aching shin splint, to get caught up on my blog entries, and to enjoy the towns people before heading out again...