5/9/99 Hot Springs - The Sunnybank Inn (Elmer's )   Miles Today : 20 Miles from Springer : 270.5

Wow, what an all around amazing day today has been, just incredible. First, the four of us woke up to a magnificant sunrise over the mountains. Then, Rick and I pounded out a quick 20 to get to Hot Springs by 3:30. Thanks again to the CMC for the great trail work.

After getting into Hot Springs, Rick and I checked into the Sunnybank Inn, which is a cross between a Bed & Breakfast and a retreat. For $12 each, we are sharing a room with 2 beds ( I have the four poster one ), shower, towels, porches with swings, hammocks, etc… Currently, this place is full with thru-hikers and Drive-By got the last room in the basement. There is a library here along with a music room.

I have meet so many people hiking the trail that it is tough to keep track of everyone, but a few of the names are: Patch, Quincy, Heat Meiser, Del Schorcho, Twister Sister, Divine, Chooch ( from NH ), Red Russian, Plum Whistle, Boot, Mental and Stretch. Everyone except for Stretch is in the music room listening to a jam session with Chooch, Boot and Red. Also, the Israeli Couple is here ( yes, they are from Israel ) and I finally caught Little D, who has been leaving interesting entries in the shelter journals.

I could write more about what a great experience today has been, but the jam session is still going on and I want to be back there.

Additional Entry

This day was such a great experience that I felt it deserved a few more words in the journal. On the way to Hot Springs, I had my first snake encounter; I almost stepped on a 3+ foot black snake that was sitting right on the trail. You can imagine I was a little spooked, but all was fine and I knocked him off the trail with my stick

Then, when we showed up to Sunnybank ( called Elmer's since he is the owner ), Colleen gives us the full tour of all the common areas and then shows us our room. When I asked her about checking in and paying, she tells us "You just did, and pay when you leave". What?! Is this True?!

Finally, I just wanted to add a few details about the people that I have met. Patch, Quincy, Heat Mieser and DelSchorcho have been hiking together for a little while and it appears that Quincy and Meiser are together, but all I know for sure is that they met on the trail and smoke constantly. Divine is from Alabama and taught English for a while. She now wants to be a writer and came out here to try and get something going. I know nothing about Plum Whistle and Twister Sister except I think that they are also together and that they have been hiking with Mental for a while.

-Chomp

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