Helloooooooooo!!!!!
I hope everyone is wonderful and having a beautiful day!!!!
Have you been wondering where I am and what the sugar is going on with me????? Well, I promise to have major story time soon. Things have been getting awfully exciting over here on the AT! But let’s start small with a short post, shall we?? This one will not be a million-word post. But I can’t promise that the next one won’t be!!! 🤪
Appalachian Trail plaque embedded in stone!
Welcome to Hot Springs, NC!!!
Picking right back up from my arrival to Hot Springs, NC! It was a 2.8-mile hike in, which is considered a “nero,” or a very low mileage day……though there are discrepancies as to what is actually considered “low” mileage! This comment and response found on a sign post along the trail summed that up perfectly!
I think 15 miles is a decent number, too! I apparently need to work on my nero game… 🤣
By this point, I had made it 274.9 miles. My body was actually doing really well!!! HOWEVER, my klutzy ways and the fact that there are SO MANY options to trip over….Insert <major eye roll> here…….was starting to be my downfall. I had one really rough trip – before the Smoky Mountains – that created a stabbing pain in my left knee when I tried to stop my momentum. I dealt with it as well as I could through the Smokies and knew it was time for some TLC in the lovely town of Hot Springs!
“A better state of mind” – – – Hot Springs, NC
I’m in the right place!!! Sign me up for health, pleasure, and peace!!!! 🥒✨✌🏼
The town of Hot Springs
Taking a walk through Hot Springs, NC
From Warm Springs to Hot Springs; a historic site
The Mosaic Restaurant in Hot Springs, NC
The trail goes right through Hot Springs – all you have to do is follow the white blazes and/or the AT symbols!!
Follow the AT symbols down the sidewalk – – the actual AT footpath!!
The trail goes this way!!
It’s a fabulous place for a bit of recovery and pampering! First of all, there’s an amazing hostel called the Laughing Heart Hostel, run by Chuck and Tigger. With showers – – – that had full bottles of shampoo, conditioner, even shaving cream!! Whoa! – – – laundry, a fresh pillow case for your real pillow, (a luxury item!!)…..it was a great place to stay for two nights!!!!
The Laughing Heart Hostel
My bunk bed: Middle set on the bottom!
Hiker boxes (things up for grab!) and the hallway that leads to laundry, showers, and the kitchen!
Their wall of love from thru-hikers that stayed at the hostel and made it to Katahdin!
Artwork found in the Laughing Heart Hostel – I love the sentiment!!! 😍
Plus, there were town clothes to wear, which is so nice because you can wash all of your clothes and not worry about sporting rain gear or a towel while your laundry is being done! This was my town shirt that I wore while I was there. Free advertising for this restaurant in Jersey! I may not drink very much but I suppose the slogan is very accurate! 😆
The selections of town clothes to wear
So very true, Wharf from Wildwood, NJ! 😁
Secondly, what can you expect from a town called Hot Springs? That they have a convenient store called the Hillbilly Market!!!! Okay, though this is actually true, Hot Springs actually has HOT SPRINGS!!! 🙃 So, naturally, PBG, Camel, and I HAD to go to the Hot Springs Resort and Spa for a Massage and a Mineral Soak in a jacuzzi tub! Of course, right???! It was as relaxing as it sounds!
Spending the afternoon at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa!!
Major pampering at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa!
Our jacuzzi for the Mineral soak!
Relaxing in the hot tub!!
Cuddling the bring-your-own-snacks in the jetted hot tub!
Next came a visit to the Hot Springs Medical Center with PBG. Her foot required some attention as well so we both made appointments for care.
We’re a little anxious for our appointments – as expressed by PBG!
A visit to the Hot Springs Medical Center
We walked away with great news! Both PBG and I could go back to the trail with help from some meds! PBG was given a prescription for prednisone – – nothing like a little steroids to help a hurt foot and to beast-mode some hills! 😛 I received a cortisone shot because I apparently hurt my cartilage after my fantastic trip BUT it appears that it will heal and that the shot will buffer the pain! Some may be shaking their head at this news – – a cortisone shot could be considered a “quick fix” that doesn’t necessarily solve the actual problem – – – However, it totally worked for me and I have made it past mile 400. (Yup, you read that right! I’m in the 400’s!!!!!! How behind am I on updating you on our adventure??????? 😳 But no worries!!! I promise to fill you in on everything! (And I’m jayceesfootprints on Instagram, in case you’d like to see what’s past Hot Springs NOW…and then wait for the deets later! 😃)
PBG, Camel, and I finished our fabulous zero day having dinner with Ghost and Shambler, who were also staying in Hot Springs! We had a great time at the Iron Horse Restaurant, especially because the server, Marc, was eccentric and so funny! I asked him to take a photo of our group. So he took a selfie first AND THEN took a (fuzzy) photo of our table!! 🤣
Dinner at the Iron Horse Station
Our server, Marc, and his selfie!
Enjoying time with Ghost and Shambler
And this completed our wonderful stay in Hot Springs!!! We said goodbye to the fabulous Tigger, and then PBG, Camel, and I hiked on!
Hugging Tigger before I depart Hot Springs
And on and on and ON!!!!! But for this particular post, let’s carry on past Hot Springs to our 11-mile hike to the next shelter, Spring Mountain Shelter. Here are some photos for you to enjoy!
As dark as it is, I’m pointing across the map to Hot Springs, NC…it’s so cool! (Though Katahdin is still so far away!!)
PBG leading the charge from Laughing Heart Hostel
Following Camel as we follow the trail through Hot Springs
Thank you, Hot Springs!!!!!
I’m glad they reassure their clientele with that sign! 😁
Another beautiful day for a hike!!
Rushing water through the trees
Admiring the view!
Loving my time, even when I’m a sweaty beast!!
This gorgeous lunch spot at Dammed Pond – no joke, that’s its name!
This is Raisin, enjoying the water!!
Such a scenic route!!!!
A lovely wall of trees
Trekking along the footpath with other thruhikers
Tug, Tank Top, and Raisin!
Log “stepping stones” and a log bridge to dance across!
More gravel roads to cross!!!
Spring Mountain Shelter!!!!!!
The end!!! For the time-being. 😊
I will return as soon as I can!!! The stories are about to get REALLY exciting, even more captivating, with some fun (and not so fun) twists and turns…..Sounds intriguing, no?? Just wait and see! ❤️ HUGS to you!! 🤗
Found at the Laughing Heart Hostel:
Love the journey you are on ❤️❤️❤️