Standing Bear to Hot Springs

The four of us left Standing Bear around 9:00 under a slight rain however it stopped shortly after we left. We took off the rain gear and before we knew it Shlep was gone. She was into some fast hiking.

Cygnet, Subby, and I cruised along but after awhile Cygnet (Cygi) and I lost Subby on an uphill. She and I hiked on for most of the day. It was overcast and foggy for most of it and shortly before Max Patch we ran into two hikers coming south. The usual pleasantries were exchanged and then we found out they were heading to Hot Springs.

Cygi looked at me and at them and said, "So are we and I believe you are heading in the wrong direction". They had misplaced themselves on Max Patch and when we reached it I could see why. The fog was very thick and it was difficult to navigate. We drew arrows in the snow so Subby would find his way easier. We made it tobthe shelter and once again I set my tent up in the snow.

The following day ended up with Cygi and I hiking together again and once more it was under cloudy skies and mostly snowy ground. We did run into Carol and Donny who were doing a southbound stretch back to Standing Bear. Since they couldn't do the Smokies they figured they would get some hiking in.

We arrived at the shelter 3 miles outside of Hot Springs and set up camp. They goal was an early start the next morning so we would a full day in town. When you are hiking you want to maximize town time without having to pay for two nights in town so you lay up short the night before, roll in early the next day and if you plan on staying you only pay for a night.

Of course I was out first thing and I arrived in Hot Springs around 8:00. I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat in a rocking chair on the porch of the restaurant and waited for the others.

Cygi and Subby made it down around 9:00 with Shlep not to far back. We all piled into the restaurant for breakfast. After the server brought the food she looked at the table and told us she should have put us at a table for six. The table was filled with plates of food!

After eating we went to Elmer's and checked in. Elmer runs a B&B type place out of an old Victorian style building. The place itself is pretty cool and during hiking season he pretty much caters to the hikers. We got situated and then the town chores began.

You would think being in town would be for relaxing but there is a lot you have to take care of so you are running all around. Laundry, post office, figuring out how much food you need to pack out of town and then hitting the grocery store to get it. It eventually gets done and then you can relax.

The nice part about this stop was that the sun was out and it was warm. Actually warm. It was the first time in six days that I have seen the sun! It was a great day!

That evening the four of us went through a half gallon of ice cream while watching Blazing Saddles. After that it was bedtime. Subby and I were heading out in the morning. Shlep was taking another day in town and Cygi hadn't decided yet.

All it takes sometimes is a good day to make up for a lot of bad days out here though I wouldn't trade a minute of being on the trail no matter how bad.