Date: 2009-05-10
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Mountain City, TN
Miles today: 11.4

Woke up this morning to an absolutely beautiful day! The winds during the night cleared out the clouds we were living in yesterday afternoon and evening. The view from the shelter was stunning. It looked over Watauga Lake and a marina, homes along the lake, countryside, farms and mountains. As I looked down at that pastoral scene the thing I kept thinking was that ehe people in those homes were sleeping in beds, on wonderful Egyptian cotton sheets with down pillows. I guess that sleeping in a shelter can make my mind start spinning crazy stories.The hike consisted of a lot of ups & downs, but it was a wonderful day, with great views of farmlands. The weather was slightly cool with no humidity. I hiked for most of the day with Jim Dandy. He has a very painful knee and hikes my speed. He is great company and has many stories of all his hiking & backpacking adventures.We met Mr. Pink and Isis at a water source and the conversation turned to Mr. Pinks plans for his future. Come to find out that he may be interested in a nursing career. That is all I had to hear. He and I spent quite some time talking about all the opportunities in nursing. Mr. Pink is the 2nd young man I have talked to about considering nursing as a career. Perhaps I will be the AT Nurse Recruiter for 2009.Jim Dandy & I got to Iron Mt Shelter at about 1:00 and there was Yellowstone playing solitare at the picnic table, and Mr. Pink talking with him. As I sat there eating lunch Mr. Pink started his pitch to the three of us about some trail magic that we should consider. It seems that 2 Pack had left a message in this shelter register, and also at Vanderventer, about a woman who would pick hikers up at the next few road crossings, take them to her home for the evening for a meal and shower and then bring them back to the trail. 2 Pack left her telephone number in the register.   Mr. Pink had already called the lady and he and Isis were going there for the night. At his urging I called her to see if she had any more room. She said she had room for the 4 of us plus the dog and said she would pick us up at 6pm at Rt 91. Once our decision was made the 4 of us were very happy about a home cooked meal, a bed and a shower. We rested a bit at the shelter, I called Annette and talked with her for a bit. When I got to Rt 91 (I was the last one to get there) I saw a few guys with their motorcycles in the parking area, so I went to talk with them while the others sat in the field on a hill across the street. There were a huge number of cycles passing us at this location. It was perfect weather for a ride. I then went and lay in the field of wildflowers on the hill waiting for Sara Tonin (that is her trail name) to pick us up. When she got there we all piled in her car, Isis was in the back, and took a twisty road into Mountain City. Her home is located at the very top of an extrememly steep, windy road in Mountain City.   The ride up the side of Iron Mt to her home is not for the faint of heart. When we got to JPs house we were greeted by her 2 dogs. Her magnificent home is situated on the side of the mountain with stunning views of the valley and mountains in the distance. Rocking chairs on the porch allowed for comfortable viewing of this vista, which I was able to partake of with a delicious glass of red wine. JP showed me to my room which was a loft off of the main entrance to the house. I could not believe it when I saw the queen size brass bed, with wonderful sheets. Just this morning I was envious of those on the shore of Watauga Lake, and now here I was, in a home that rivaled any B&B Ron and I have ever been to.JP was such a gracious host, She prepared a great dinner, absolutely delicious. After dinner I showered and went to bed. It was 9pm and I was exhausted. JP and the guys stayed up talking until midnight.