Date: 2010-04-01
From: Tricorner Shelter (Smokies)

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Goodbye Smokies!Got up pretty early this morning and was the first one packed and out of the shelter. The morning was already warm and for the first morning since I entered the Smokies I put on wet hiking boots instead of frozen ones, yay! I started out at a brisk pace and it wasn't a half mile out before I shed my layers and ended up in just a t-shirt and shorts. It was only eight thirty but the day was already warmer than yesterday. Kelly was a huge motivation for my hike today and three hours later I had made almost eight miles to the next shelter where I took a quick lunch and headed back down the trail.Most of today was descending, although there were a few good climbs I am starting to feel very confident hiking up and no longer have that dread when I see the trail go straight up the mountain. The hike was quick and I was very happy to be hiking in mud and dry trail as opposed to the snow I had been experiencing for quite a while. I did roll my ankle pretty good on a short, flat section and it is a bit sore this evening, but I limped a few strides and walked out of it pretty good while hiking.A couple miles before I hit the road I found a good rock outcrop where I was able to call John and give him a heads up on my where abouts and he dissapointedly informed me that the Shenendoahs had created a new rule banning dogs from the park... he didn't get me though, I knew it was April first Just before three I rounded a corner to see John and I knew Kelly had to be just around the corner and there she was tied to a sign. She started barking at me and as soon as she realized who it was she got all wiggly and as I unclipped her from her leash she was so excited she scratching up my arms and neck with her claws, but I didn't care because I was just as excited to see her! She looked so good, John and Jane took such amazing care of her and I knew she had a great week. They also took amazing care of me, my pants had been chafing me pretty bad and they got me a new pair of pants, greeted me with a bag of cookies, apples, candy bars, and all the diet coke I could dream of! They had put together a bag of toiletrees for the hostel (that shower just wouldn't have done it without that shampoo and body wash!), and took me over to Standing Bear to drop my pack off so I could slackpack the couple miles from Davenport Gap, what a treat! I definetely couldn't have done it without you two and am so happy you encouraged me to do the Smokies! I feel like the first big hurdle is over with.The slackpack was awesome, but the low elevations were so hot! There were spots where the temperature had to have been in the mid eighties and after dealing with the snow it felt amazing! Kelly was also pretty warm and loved the creek crossings. We finally made it to Standing Bear Farms once again and thoroughly enjoyed a shower, good food, and will be very excited to have a good nights sleep. Kelly is also enjoying this hostel, she has made several human and K9 friends and is currently enjoying the sticks being tossed from the firewood pile.I expect to get to Hot Springs in a couple of days and will be taking my second zero, very excited! I will also be hitting the outfitter there and picking up a hiking skirt, I imagine it will be real nice on these hot days. I am pretty excited to start slowing down now that i'm out of the Smokies and have my dog back. I have a feeling that sitting by a creek in the hot days will do some good and the forecast is calling for seventies and eighties all week