Day 74 - Monday, May 24, 2021

We stayed another night at the Hot Springs Resort & Cabins. Think we may get a hotel room tonight. I’m getting too old to climb into the top bunk but I have no choice as someone needs to get up several times a night šŸ™„... besides I’ve climbed enough during the day. 

I believe Spring is trying to jump right to Summer as daytime highs are getting into the low 80’s and nights have not dropped below mid 50’s the last few nights. 

Today we resumed hiking from NC 209 + US 25/70, Hot Springs, NC (274.9 NoBo) to Lemon Gap, NC 1182, TN 107 (260.5 NoBo) for a total of 14.4 miles. 

We began hiking at 10 am and the skies were clear; temperature was 62°.






Our hike started right off with a 2.4 mile climb that went up nearly 900 feet in elevation to the summit of Walnut Mountain. I don’t like gaps šŸ„µ. (gap: in hiking terms a gap is a lowland area usually part of a cull that begins with the end of the descent and terminates with a subsequent ascent).


Is there a bear behind me?...



I wonder if I order some sushi for lunch they can deliver šŸ¤”?









6.6 miles to go...


Appalachian Trail trailhead in Hot Springs, NC.






The AT goes right thru Hot Springs business district.

We finished hiking at 5:40 pm under hot sunny skies. The temperature was 85°. 

Then after dinner...






The ultimate “Platinum Slack Packing”. This just put the capital “P” in Platinum. We enjoyed a hot mineral bath at the Hot Springs Resort & Spa. 


A near perfect ending to a beautiful spring day.


Till next time.... Happy Hiking  šŸ„¾ 

šŸ˜‹


“You gotta have passion for life and passion for something that you're going to get up and do,".    

                                Meredith “Sunny” Eberhart  


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