Day 17 - Friday, May 14

Tenting at Deep Creek Hot Springs (mile 307.9).  Walked 22.3 miles today.

Broke camp about 6:30 this morning and almost immediately stopped for water.  Theme of today was water.  We had a short climb as we followed a creek.  At one point, Flying (who was walking in front of me by about 100 feet) stopped.  When I got to him, I asked what's up and he told me to just listen.  It was the soft gurgling of the creek and some birds singing.  It was beautiful and I'm glad he was there to stop me.  Sometimes it's easy to get so focused on miles and sights that you forget to listen.  And if he hadn't been there, I would have missed this spot.

Views of the mountains ahead appeared and they look beautiful.  Flying and I chatted some about life and the trail as we meandered around the mountains.

Walked along and eventually reached a spot where Burp, Dirty Knuckles, and Hoops were stopped by the creek for a snack and water.  Ate with them and chatted for a bit before they moved on. (Photo: Hoops, Snowflake, and Flying at the creek)

After a while, I went into the creek and picked up some rocks to check out the macroinvertebrates.  Even out here, when I'm not getting paid to do it, I apparently can't resist looking for them.  Found some and gave Flying a quick lesson on them (Snowflake knew a little about them from her Environmental Science classes).  I continued up the trail, and eventually stopped for a short break (to rid my shoes of sand again...).  When the others caught up, Snowflake suggested a trail name for me.  I initially thought "no", but after a few miles of thinking it over, I decided I liked it.  So in honor of my earlier macroinvertebrate expedition, my love for science, and my past experience as a conservation educator, I adopted the trail name "Bill Nye the Hiking Guy." I'll go by "Bill" or "Bill Nye" for short.

Got to a bridge where the others were hanging out and took a wade in the water below.

After the break here we hiked another 4 miles to another swimming spot.  We did the same thing here: relax and wade a bit.

We had hoped to go to a cliff diving spot, but we missed the turn off for it.  We're walking through a canyon here so not sure how we didn't see it.

Walked another 6 miles along a trail that's eroding down the cliff in some places.

Finally we reached Deep Creek Hot Springs.  This is a place where locals come and swim in the natural hot springs...oftentimes naked (no pics of the springs as a result of this).  Always something different out here.  Most remained at least partially clothed, but there were a few people in the nude.  We all went from the cold river water to the hot spring water and back and forth.  It was so relaxing and felt so good.  I challenged Snowflake (who also used to swim) to a heads up race.  I'll brag that I came in second place...

After that we set up camp and ate dinner.  We also enjoyed some evening entertainment as Snowflake popped a massive blister on her second toe.

I actually have a video of the popping, but unfortunately for everyone following this journal, the site doesn't support videos.

Overall, it was a pretty good day.  Looking to get to Silverwood Lake tomorrow and as somebody helpfully pointed out in the comments of the guidebook app we all use, it has water...that's become our new meme out here.