Day 36

I’m just breaking records every day! Today I completed 18.27 miles for a new daily record. It’s supposed to pour rain early in the morning so I was determined if I could just make it to Hot Springs before the sun went down, I’d spend a couple days here since someone I know further up trail said it was the coolest town he visited yet. Anyway, it was perfect weather for a long hike. There are always climbs but nothing like yesterday. I forced myself to stop at the shelter pictured to eat a lunch. I’ve been pushing myself too hard each day and I need to take time to stop. After many miles and temps that reached over 70 degrees, which is incredibly hot when hiking, I made it to Hot Springs. The trail goes right thru the tiny town. The sidewalk has the AT symbol along the route. Pretty cool. I wanted a private room, which is my preferred, so I booked a room at the Alpine Court Motel for $89 a night (that then tacks on an 11.75% hospitality fee) and was just happy to have a place to stay while it rained in the morning and to have a day to check out the town. Sorry, but this place is a dump! I didn’t expect the Waldorf Astoria and I knew as a motel it would be old but, come on. I spent $199 for this? I’m in the bed listening to the water trickle out of the shower I cannot stop. The shower handle is a vise grip that literally has a folding knife blade as a handle! I have a video of it! A freaking knife as a shower handle! It’s a room so I will manage but damn, this place is run down! I will say there is a really nice TV, which I don’t plan on using any TVs on this hike, and the beds are clean and comfortable. (The dead roaches on the carpet agree.) I met the manager of the local bar, who funny enough wanted to hire me as he needs more managers but I had to kindly explain why my name is “Last Call”, who was appalled when I showed him my video of the shower and said he knew the lady taking reservations doesn’t even stay here. She barely has cell service where she lives and he has to talk to the guy who owns the place because what I showed him was disgusting. I think I’ll wear my earplugs tonight because the people in the room next to me are arguing and that damn shower is still trickling away. The argument stopped and now I’m listening to Golden Girls on their TV so loud I can actually make out the words to the show. Ah, the adventures of thru hiking. I’ll get through tomorrow night then get back on trail. I’m working on my next section and think I can get to Big Bald Road by 4/5. Five days out will be my biggest outing yet. (Boy, I’m going to smell ripe! LOL) THL, I’ll need to get in touch with ya soon because after 5 days out, I can definitely use a cleanup, a bed and a resupply. I’m also sure your showers don’t have knife bladed vise grips as handles. LOL!