Hot Springs, North Carolina

I reached Hot Springs today, the first city directly on the Appalachian Trail. Tonight I am staying at the Sunnybank Inn Hostel, a Victorian Home converted by a radical vegetarian into a hiker haven. I have already completed my work-for-stay: cutting tree stumps out of the ground and tilling garden soil. I am hiking with three guys from Masachusetts: Furniture, Fish and Free Hugs. We are all enjoying the luscious appearance of spring in this little town, and taking advantage of good food. Appreciate the things around you which you might overlook: the sunshine, laughter, and clean fingernails.