Day 156 – Mile 1166.7 + 273.5: Thanks Kevin Rumble for the best zero day ever – lots of rest, great food and good movies! This guy is a movie star (literally)!!

Day 157 – Mile 1166.7 + 275.4: Jam-packed day! Woke up to a Kevin Rumble deluxe breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, corn bread and coffee, packed my pack and got ready to head back to the trail in Hot Springs. Kevin was ready to go with a to-go foil-wrapped steak sandwich and coffee in a travel mug.

After dropping me in Hot Springs, did a quick resupply, met Odie from The Hiker Yearbook, had a look around his bus, had a look around the Hot Springs Resort with the hot tubs, took a nap on their lawn (bc the hot tubs were fully booked), hung out with Mamba, Yogi, Pimpin and Mary, Fred and Steve and headed back out on the trail.

Saw a copperhead, checked out Lover’s Leap and found a good spot to camp with sunset out my tent window…

Day 158 – Mile 1166.7 + 282.5: 3am throw up wake up call where I barely had time to zip open my tent and stuck my head out. Followed by a text message from South African friend and former FSU coach, Lise Gregory, saying they were going to be camping in Hot Springs that night and I should stop by for a South African braai if I was still around.

Hitched back to Hot Springs from Hurricane Gap, offered trail magic chicken salad sandwich by random mom-and-daughter Holly and Cheryl in a cabin in the campsite (I was sitting on a bench and must have been looking hungry), and had excellent chicken “flattie” on the braai😎 Great to see you again Lise! Thank you so much for letting me join you guys at that beautiful camp spot🌅😊🙌🇿🇦🇿🇦