Date: 2018-04-20
From: Yellow Creek Gap 

To: Fontana Dam 
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

My alarm was set for 6:30 this morning. I wanted to start early today because I had a 3pm chiropractor appointment one town over. My left hip has been bugging me. We¢ll see if this helps. I felt like he did a great job. It¢s a challenge holding this 50+ years old body together!  Orlando and I only had a little over 8 miles left to hike before we reached Fontana Dam and then it will be on to the Smokies. That was our goal today. As usual we started out going up, but like yesterday it wasn¢t overly difficult. I enjoyed another pleasant day of hiking.  My favorite 4 legged friend joined me again. This will be her last hike for at least 8 days. Dogs are not allowed in the Smokies. One of my readers recently asked her age. Seylor is 5 years old, and spoiled rotten! She¢s a rescue just like all of our dogs before her. I highly recommend rescuing your next pet. They know what you¢ve done for them, and they don¢t forget.  After the first 3 miles this morning I started seeing glimpses of Fontana Dam between the trees. It felt like I should have been able to trot myself right on down there, but as you know the mountains don¢t work like that. I went around and down and around and down for 5 miles. Every time I was on the Dam side of the mountain I wanted to stop and take a picture. It was getting prettier and prettier as every loop brought me closer. Today¢s photo is of my first glimpse.  I¢m now officially out of the Nantahala National Forest. I¢ve really enjoyed North Carolina and everything Nantahala! Every person I¢ve had the pleasure of meeting while here was friendly and helpful. Good people live in North Carolina.  Speaking of good people. There are a few good people I¢ve been meaning to mention. First I really want to give a BIG thank you to Papa Monkey. I found him on Trail Journals last year. He emailed back and forth with me a few times and offered up lots of valuable advice. I think of him on a regular basis while I¢m out there. Other hikers have helped too. Maybe not via email but by sharing their journey, equipment information, hostel suggestions etc. A few of them are 1st Sgt, Slip Knot, Hazel, Holcomb, Bunkie, and Legs.  I look up to each of them.  Today was bittersweet. We met our goal of 8+ miles, but I¢ll be starting the Smokies on Sunday without my friend Orlando.  Her sister picked her up today for a weekend in Hot Springs. I¢m sure the trail will bring us together again, but for a while I¢ll be at least one day¢s hike ahead of her.  I¢ve reconnected with Hugs. She¢s a day behind me, but since I¢m taking a zero tomorrow we may be able to start the Smokies together. I¢ll be seeing her later tonight and we¢ll figure it out. Her plantar fasciitis is still a problem, but she¢s determined! Hugs and Morrison will be tenting beside our camper tonight. I hope Seylor gets along with Morrison. They met on the trail once and there was no growling...that¢s a good sign I guess. We¢ll see at 8pm when we pick her up at Stecoah GapTomorrow is a zero for me. I¢ll be getting the big pack ready to go. My princess hiking days are over again for a while. It sure has been nice!  Lastly, I want to wish my grandson Logan a very happy 10th birthday! You¢re my little creative genius, and Nama loves you to the moon and back! Break a leg buddy! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018). Where¢s your faith?