Hot Springs

We did a "nero" today (near zero) - only had to hike 3 miles into town. The AT actually goes right down main street -good business model. Planning on spending the night with Muffin Paste, Bert, Happy Tracker, Holler, and Pixie. Going to do my first zero tomorrow. I have hiked 271.2 miles in 21 days and need a break - body, legs, feet all hurt - and mentally draining. Back home - you atleast get your weekends off. Not here. Same thing every day - only the weather changes. Have a new term - PUD - Pointless Up and Downs. These are the days when you have several 100-300 elevation changes - just up and down, up and down all day - with no view. Hot Springs is a one horse town - but caters to the hikers - very cool that tons of people are all here to zero. I am seeing people that I haven't seen in a couple of days - and we are all going to the pub tonight. Get to sleep in a bit tomorrow - and don't have to hike! Can't wait. Still no phone service - hopefully in Erwin. Will try to add a picture or two tomorrow.