Mile: 70 (zero day) | Twelve buckets of ice, eight minutes in the tub, and I walked out feeling like a new hiker. Between a counseling session, a budget-friendly resupply, and a questionable buffet, my zero in Hiawassee was part recovery, part small-town adventure.
The next morning we rose early. Whisperer headed to breakfast while I put the laundry in and took an ice bath.
I filled the tub with about an once of ice (about 12 hotel ice buckets) and then filled it to the top with cold water. Thankfully, my room was right next to the ice machine. I put a show on Netflix on on my phone and sat in the ice bath for 8 minutes. DEEP BREATHING AND DISTRACTION IS KEY. Seriously it makes it so much better. I got out after 8 minutes, red legged, and rested in bed for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes I got back in the bath for 5 more minutes. At first the results weren't dramatic. I was less stiff, less swollen, and refreshed but not miraculously better. But over the next couple of days I noticed my muscles and joints felt much better over time, my bruises almost disappeared within 24 hours, my stiffness dissipated, and I felt refreshed. Ice baths are totally worth it if you can get one!!
After my ice bath I headed down to breakfast. I was not thrilled, but if you aren't picky it's free and it wasn't that bad. The key component of the free breakfast: free milk and yogurt, stocked and available all day! If you need a chocolate milk, get a free one!
After breakfast Whisperer headed to the local 'outfitter' (we found that they were just souvenir shops with fuel canisters...and they both opened late...) while I went to resupply (Get my food and toiletries for the next week) at Dollar General and Ingles. Dragon got a shuttle to slack pack (hike with just a day pack to make up miles) Blood Mountain, which we missed due to foot problems in the beginning.
At dollar general I found a major value: biofreeze single packets 10 for $4!! Smart water for $1. Hating Gummy Bears for 50 cents less than the grocery store. Okay not super big savings, but it adds up y'all. Most things were better prices than the grocery store but obviously they did not have fresh things but I definitely saved some money. After getting my dry, shelf stable foods I went to Ingles and got spinach, pita, Fresh Ground peanut butter (SO GOOD), and some toiletries.
I headed back to the hotel and took a long nap. I FaceTimed my counselor for the first time since being out here. If you have a counselor that is willing to do this that you have a rapport with, take them up on it! This counseling session helped me so much.
Eventually after my appointment, Whisperer and I headed over to Daniel's, the local buffet. It was only $8.95 for all you can eat. In theory, perfect for a thru-hiker. I personally wasn't in love, but it was a cheap meal. Again, if you're not picky you can make this work. Most hikers I met loved it. In the future I think I'll stick to a rotisserie chicken and bagged salad from the grocery store.
We headed back to the room, packed up our packs, prepared our food bags, took one last long shower, and went to bed.