Date: 2006-03-29
From: Fotana Dam

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 152.7
Weather: broken clouds

I finally had time to up date my journal. I will start back on March 18th and bring you up to date. March 18 I started at Fontana Dam and went to Birch Spring Tent site. It was a 7 mile hike. It was beautiful all day. There was a fire tower I climbed up and I could see 360 degrees. What a beautiful sight. I stayed in my tent that night. March 19 I headed to Spence Field Shelter which was a 10.8 mile day. It was a beautiful Sunday. I ran into a ridge runner employed by the forest service. His name was Carl. He asked my name and where I was from and let me know that some bad weather was on the way. The job of the ridge runner is to check on people along the trail and make sure everything is going ok. I stayed in the shelter that night.March 20th I hiked to Derrick Knob which was 6.3 miles in bad weather. Sleet, snow and freezing rain and very windy. I went across the top of Rocky Top Tennessee but it was so foggy and I was up in the clouds so I could not see much from that vantage point. I stayed in the shelter that night with a lot of other people. We were elbow to elbow. The shelters are only three sided but the have fire places in each one to help us stay warm. I slept as snug as a bug in a rug.March 21 was a 13.5 mile hike in fog to Mt. Collins. There was a lot of ice on the trees and the way the wind was blowing the ice was a right angle to the tree and looked a lot like feathers. It was really pretty. I went to Clingmans Dome which is an observation area. It was clear when I first arrived but the fog moved in quickly so I couldn't see very much. That night I stayed in the shelter with NSom, ShowMe, Tree Frog, Gary, Gray Foot and an elderly couple I called Maw & Paw. March 22 I traveled to Peck Corner, a 14.9 mile day. It was a beautiful day. It started out at 20 degrees in the morning with clear blue skies. The trail was like a skating rink and the trees were covered with the feather like ice. When I got to a tourist area called New Found Gap I saw a lot of sightseers. I met a real nice family by the name of Cooper. It was the husband, wife, two sons and a daughter. The dad would like to someday hike the AT but right now he just does short hikes with his family. They really blessed me as I was leaving they said they would be praying for me. They don't know how much I appreciate that. I know that without all the prayers and God's blessing on me I would not be able to do what I am doing right now. I stayed in the shelter again that night. March 23 takes me to Cosby Knob. It was a pretty day for a 12.9 mile hike. There was snow & ice on the ground but the most wonderful part was when I stopped and listened it was so quiet and peaceful. No sounds of traffic just perfectly peaceful. It started snowing again so I headed to the shelter for the night.March 24 I traveled to Green Corner Rd which was a 10.4 mile day. The sun was shinning but there was 6 inches of snow on the ground. I arrived at Davenport Gap at noon and hitched a ride into Mountain Moma's where I picked up my mail drop that Norma had sent me. I then went and inhaled a big cheeseburger and french fries. Boy! was that ever good! The couple who gave me a ride into town was an elderly couple just out for a ride that day. They were a real nice couple. I then walked the 1.3 miles back out to the trail which was all uphill. I went to St. Bear Farms where I spent the night in a hostel. That evening we went into town for Mexican food and live Bluegrass band for entertainment. The food was great! I got my laundry done, showered and slept in a real bed. It felt real good!March 25 I took my first zero day. I sat in the cabin and fed wood to the fire to keep warm.March 26 Was a beautiful day and I headed to Roaring fork Shelter. There were light snow flurries. The trail was clear for about half the day then it turned into 6 to 8 inches of new snow. I climbed up Maxpatch, a big bald mountain top. The climb took me through 6 feet deep snow drifts, high winds and snow still coming down. Once I got to the top the snow was only about 1 inch deep. I went to a shelter for the night.March 27 was a 15.6 mile hike to Deer Park. The weather was perfect, clear skies. There was still snow on the ground and I was wishing I had some shades for my eyes. The trail was pretty rough. I saw turkey tracks in one area and then I saw rabbit tracks with coyote tracks right behind it. I don't know how the rabbit faired that situation. Then I saw some large tracks taking off the trail. I was wondering why someone would be going that direction. When I finally got to the tracks I saw that a big bear and crossed there ahead of me. I stayed in the shelter by myself that night. Everyone else went into Hot Springs, NC but I just stayed in my tent. March 28 I went on into Hot Springs which was only 3.2 miles. I went to Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. It is an old Victorian two story house built in the 1800's with lots of antique furniture. A real unique place opened to hikers. They served a vegeterian meal that was real good. It was a real neat place to stay. I got my mail drop and had to buy a new hip belt, my other one had gotten too big for me. I have lost about 15 pounds. I stayed in the hostel that night.March 29 I headed to Spring Mountain Shelter which was 11 miles. It was another beautiful day. The ice and snow are gone for now. I stayed in the shelter that night. I am still having the time of my life and looking for another great day tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers. I am praying for all of you too. I'm sure enjoying God's beautiful handiwork!Until next time......