Return To Hot Springs

Rebecca's flight was at 7 am, so we traveled the 4 hour drive from Louisville to the Knoxville airport through the night to have her there by 5:30 am. We traveled a couple hours until around 1 am when I started to feel myself nodding off. So an hour and a half away from the airport, we stopped for 90 min to sleep before continuing the trek. After I dropped her off, I slept 2 more hours. Sleep the last two nights has been in small increments and definitely insufficient. My body is feeling it.

I had scheduled another appointment at Hot Springs Resort and Spa, and I'm really glad that I did. It was a completely different experience. I arrived a few min early for my 9:15 appointment. The day is about 25 degrees warmer than last week and the trees are much fuller and greener. I thought I was getting tub 5 again but I got tub 15. This tub is much less expensive, doesn't have the fire, and is located at the center of the back of the property on the creek. It's just as beautiful, peaceful and private though. More light filters in. It's situated next to a gentle waterfall on the creek, so I listened to the gentle sound of the water bubbling down the creek for the next hour. To my right, suspended above the creek are two large ducts to pipe the hot mineral water over to the tubs. The water in tub 15 is considerably warmer than hot tub 5. I'm very happy about that. I contemplate that this must be because it's closer to the source and has less time to travel through the potentially cold metal conduit before reaching the tub. I'm glad I got to visualize the pipes though and see and feel the hot water coming into the tub, because after my last experience I was thinking the whole mineral water thing might just be a scam. I'd booked my second spa experience before doing the first, otherwise I might not have come back. I'm really glad I did though.

I had a whole hour in the tub. I'm guessing the water was 102 degrees. It was relaxing. I listened to the creek and the birds singing. The train went through town, and I could see it as it crossed the creek. Returning to the van, my legs felt like noodles.

After 4 days of two people living in the van, going like mad people from place to place, the van needed some serious clean up and organization, so I sat there in the resort parking lot, cleaned up the van and had my coffee.

I then drove into town, walked around a bit, bought a magnet for my van at the outfitters post, and a another bottle of that fantastic wine at the gourmet store next door. The brewery and restaurant wasn't open yet, so I walked to the Red Bridge and then returned to the van and took a short nap. As I pulled out of my new favorite little town, the mayor and two other women were standing outside city hall, one of them was smoking. The voting polls were open. The hikers were repacking their backpacks and the Harleys were lined up on the street as the bikers were arriving for lunch at the brewery. Part of me wanted to stay and enjoy the Friday afternoon. The brewery is attached to a bar and behind that is a restaurant that serves tacos and lots of other hipster delicious foods. There's a large outdoor area with picnic tables and a band stage. It looks like a really fun place to hang out. But I must travel on.

I'm not missing home. I wouldn't even say I'm ready to come home. I miss my friends and family at home, but they are mostly managing fine without me. I heard gut wrenching news about a fatal drug overdose of a young girl that lives in my condo. So sad.

I want to get back home by Saturday so I have more than 24 hours to get ready for next week. I want to see my new best friend Kris and finish watching season 6 of Outlander together. I want to see my favorite local band on Sunday night at the Hippy. I want to walk the beach and see the sunsets once again. Onward south.Weiterlesen