Okay… okay… okay… so we make it to and beyond Max Patch in a day (a 15 miler), so what does Slipper say, “Let’s do 18 tomorrow and hike into Hot Springs!” What? Cross over a couple of mountains and descend into Hot Springs… in a day? Really? What is she drinking… or eating that I’m not?
We know the day is going to be long (and we are willing to hike into town… even if by headlamp)… but add to it some rain and cooler temperatures blowing in, and we might be night hiking a little longer than we might want to.
(DRUM ROLL PLEASE….)
We make it into Hot Springs by 5:30 pm (18 miles in 8 hours!), but what makes Hot Springs “Hot” for us is that as we are hiking to Main Street we heare someone calling our names: “Tripper! Slipper!”
We look up and Slipper’s oldest sister (Cheryl) and brother-in-law (Marshall) have driven over to Hot Springs from Asheville to surprise us!
Needless to say, it was a celebratory occassion… yet quite difficult to hold back the tears from seeing loved ones. This was the highlight of our day!
And the fact that both of them embraced us two smelly Hikers and wanted to treat us to dinner, is a memory that will be remembered and shared for years to come.
Burgers… Salad… French Fries… Pinto Beans & Corn Bread… 2 Pitchers of Sweet Tea… and I still had to sneak a taste of Marshall’s Meat Loaf and Fried Okra.
Food… Family… and Fellowship… what a great combination for a personal expression of love!
To top it all off, some Hiker Friends that we have met along the way (Cabot & Hobbs) were hiking into town as we were exiting the restaurant. Asking them where they would be staying for the night, they replied that they didn’t know and may try to stay at a work-for-stay place.
Slipper and I felt compelled to provide some “Trail Magic” and provide them with the funds necessary to grab a room at the Hiker Hostel.
BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE!
Before they could hike out of sight, Cheryl (Slipper’s oldest sister) also wanted to provide some “Trail Magic” and provided them with some funds to have dinner!
NOW THAT’S HOT!
