Date: 2010-03-27
From: Cody Gap, NC

To: Fontana Dam Shelter, NC
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Woke at the pre-planned time with Tango. I hollered over towards her tent, "Hey, are you awake!" Of course she was, it was 4:10 a.m. We had each sheltered overnight in our seperate tents the night before at about 9:00 p.m., so we had ample sleep, as sleep goes! I slept good waking often to glance at my watch for the time in anticipation of Saturdays big day of reaching another milestone, Fontana Dam, North Carolina.Awake at 4:10 a.m., there was frost on the ground, stars still in the dark early morning sky, it was cold 30's. I packed the contents of my backpack while still in my tent. Outside frost covered the tent fly. In quicktime we were packed and ready to hike together as agreed. It was 5:30 a.m.In our little caravan of two, I led the way, the trail was fairly level the first mile, no hard climbs or steep descents. I noticed Tango lagging further and further behind. I finally waited for her to catch up. She did, but her headlamp was so dim that she could barely see the trail in front of her. We swapped headlamps, she took the forward position and we hiked on. She lit the way for us both, as I could see the trail just beyond her feet.The sun would not begin to rise until 7:00 a.m.. We both heard the wild howls of coyotes on the nearest mountain to our right, glad a little valley separated us at the time. I could see lights of houses in this near valley and thought of the occupants still tucked in their cozy beds or maybe up and getting ready for work. But this was Saturday, the week-end, It's easy to forget what day of the week it is when hiking the trail. Keeping the pen and paper journal each day helps remind me.We reached Gable Gap Shelter just passing through. We stopped briefly too take off a layer of clothing, our rain jackets/pants. and make a few adjustments, eat a snack. Those who had stayed in the shelter the night before were just beginning to stir. "Squash" stuck his head out of sleeping bag and said "Good morning Friar Tuck". We had been leap frogging each other since we first met at Standing Indian Shelter several days earlier. We made excellent time today, Tango and I are getting stronger by the day. We are ready to take on the challenge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The boundary of which begins after you cross over the road on the Fontana Dam bridge.Today we reach Fontana Dam Shelter Trail at 2:30 p.m. We traveled approx. 10 miles in 9 hours, which included breaks of about 50 minutes total, giving us an average of 1.25 miles per hour today. We need to improve on this but we felt good about miles, distance and times we did today.We talk about and decide to do the Great Smoky Mountains together as a team, staying in shelters is required. But if a shelter is full tenting is necesary. We discuss and decide that Tango will mail home her tent and I will mail home a piece of heavy gear that I have decided is not essential. Traveling lighter, we can move faster and enjoy our journey to the fullest and this will be much more comfortable for the both of us.Tango's friends, Lula and Theresa arrive at Fontana shortly after we do. They are both delightful people. We have a picnic and explore the Dam. I decide to take a couple of zero's and stay two nights at The Fontana Village Resort, Saturday and Sunday nights. Tango and friends also decide to stay. We all get settled and decide to have dinner at the Lodge Restaurant. "Dr. Evil" is staying at the hotel, he graciously gives me a disposable razor and shaving cream! It feels good to get a shave. I'm starting to enjoy the simple things in life much more each day. The five of us have a good meal together. The conversations is lively! However I make a comment to Tango, "I don't know why I'm so quite tonight!" She says "you are tired crazy man! We've hiked nearly 30 miles in 3 days!" She's right, after dinner we go to our rooms and crash! Tango's asleep, I watch "Grand Torino" on HBO with Clint Eastwood and I am asleep at 10:30 p.m. for the night.Sunday is a day to rest, relax, resupply and do laundry and get focused on the next section of trail to Gatlinburg. I've got to get to the Fontana Dam Post Office first thing Monday to pick up my mail drop.... and I've now decided to forward this mail drop (6 day resupply) to Erwin, TN. I've got almost enough food to make it to Gatlinburg now! I pick up a few additional items at the Fontana Dam General Store, and I'm good! I will stay at the Fontana Dam A.T. Shelter a.k.a. Fontana Hilton on Monday night, we will get an early start rising early on Tuesday morning to make our way 11.3 miles to Mollies Ridge Shelter, first shelter in the Smoky Mountains.I'm still maintaining a great outlook and positive attitude about this hike. I have seen the purple mountains majesty and seen countless vistas and overlooks on the trail. I feel good! I'm anxious to continue this long distant hike!********NOTE: Taking a couple of days off the trail to resupply and rest at Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam, NC. I will stay at the resort, Saturday and Sunday nights, I missed the resupply mail drop at the post office Saturday, the Post Office closes at noon. I'll go to post office first thing Monday, I've decided to mail home a few more heavier items that I originally deemed essential, lightening my pack for the trek into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We will enter the G.S.M.N.P. immediately crossing the road over the Dam in Fontana. The plan is to stay at the Fontana Hilton, Monday night for an early rise to do the 11.3 mile hike to Mollies Ridge Shelter on Tuesday.Cheers,Friar Tuck