Date: 2005-04-15
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Inn
Miles today: 8.8

I got up super early this morning. I was the last to arrive at camp and first to head out. I walked through a ton of spiderwebs (being the first on theat section of the trail). I thought maybe if I left early enough I'd catch the others at Cable Gap Shelter, just over three miles up. With the way I'm walking, no way! I made some hot chocolate when I got there and watched everyone at Cody Gap roll in. Cable Gap is such a cute shelter! It was built in the 30s by the CCC. Sunflower and Kelly hung out with me for a bit before heading on. After that it was pretty much downhill to Fontana Damn. It was so weird seeing the lake from the mountains knowing you still have a couple miles before even reaching it. It was also wild seeing how green everything got. I arrived at the parking lot with Tartooga. Sunflower, Kelly and Dennis were all waiting on a shuttle. We hung out there for a while before the shuttle finally showed up. When we arrived at Fontana Village Resort it was like stepping into the Twilight Zone. People kept refferring to "The Shining". It was just because it's off season, but it was still weird. Kelly, Dennis, Sunflower and I all got a room together. Kelly insisted on sleeping on the porch which made me happy 'cause I got a bed to myself. Unfortunately Dennis and his farting antics caused Sunflower to jump in my bed. Btw, Dennis's new trailname is Funnelcake. He told me and Sunflower this story about a funnelcake that made no sense and pulled the "I guess you had to be there" line so now his name is Funnelcake. Kelly still has no name though. :-/ Tonight Funnelcake in his New Jersy accent made a comment. He said "Isn't it weird that we've only known each other a few days and we're sharing a hotel room together?" Sunflower and I just looked at each other, smiled and said "It's great!". That's one of the awesome things about hiking the AT - everyone creates instant friendships out here. :-D A hilarious moment tonight before signing off: I'm talking to my dad and stepmom on the phone and they ask who I'm staying with. I mention Sunflower being from North Conway, NH and simultaneously they say "Oh?!" as if a sudden interest is peaked. My dad then asks if she knows my cousin from Atlanta's boyfriend who's from there....and she actually does. It's a small scary world out there. Another highlight was my sister, Katie's, letter asking if I've gotten any App Ass yet. Well, Katie, I'm working on it. Goodnight.-------------------------My trip to the post office:I had 4 packages awaiting me! The one from my mom weighed a ton! I think she sent me enough food and suppplies to get me through central Virginia. Included in the box was a letter from my mom and my sister. :-) After reading the letters I opend up the package from my other sister. That was just the map I asked her to send. Another package was from Lil' Red. I felt so cool getting a package from a section hiker I'd hiked with my first week. She sent me a bunch of Snickers which are THE candybar on the trail. It was so awesome.   She also threw in some pictures that she developed from her section hike. :-) I also got a letter from my friend Kat. I was so excited to get that because she was sending me a new tongue ring. Finally! Unfortunately she put it in a regualr envelope and it got caught in the letter machine so there was just a hole in the envelope. :-( Folks, don't mail jewelry in a regular envelope. So thanks anyway, Kat. And thank you very very much, Lil' Red. ;-)