Date: 2011-03-19
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 162.5
Weather: clear sky

Hey Again! We have crossed a few big mile stones since leaving the Blueberry Patch. As we left Dick Creek we made our way towards the GA-NC boarder. Crossing our first state line was so awesome! I was the first one in the group to arrive at the boarder and when i got there David, Llama Legs, Mile High, Austin and Justin where all sitting by the boarder cheering everyone on as they crossed from one state to the next. They are a pretty fun bunch and are definitely entertaining. As I was talking to them Andy walked by. He just walked by the boarder. Didn't even hesitate. I was shocked by this and asked him what in the world he was doing. His response was "I'm walking". The guys and I all got a kick out of that. It became a joke of sorts when we saw the guys later on down the road. It was definitely a memorable time. I woke up the next day really missing my dad and my knee was really bothering me which didn't help. We hiked as a group for most of the day, but towards the end I got really antsy and decided to hike ahead. I have been feeling really antsy lately. I feel like I need to up my mileage. We always get to camp so early and just sit around all afternoon and while that has been fun I need to start pulling bigger days. I have a dead line and I don't want to get up north and have to pull huge days in order to make it. The next day we crossed the 100 mile mark! That was a pretty big deal. I mean its still not time to begin the count down to Katahdin, but it was a nice feeling knowing we had made it to the triple digits. We took some funny pictures at Rock Gap Shelter to commemorate the day. That was really fun. The shelter had a rather run-down appearance, but it kept us dry through the rainy night. I was happy for that. The duct tape on the roof had me worried... ha haWe woke up to another rainy morning. We hiked together for a while, but I again got antsy and hiked ahead. I have been hiking by myself a lot lately and I am starting to really like it. It's nice being able to stop when you want for however long you want. When hiking with a group I often feel obligated to wait with them when all I really want to do is keep hiking. I still made it to the shelter around 2 even with that being our longest day to date. I would rather make it to the shelter closer to 4, so I see some bigger days in my future. The next morning held foggy skies. We had heard the weather was supposed to be nice, so that was rather disheartening. As the day went on however, the sky began to clear and it turned into a really nice day. We had originally planned to hike to the A. Rufus Morgan shelter just a mile outside of the NOC. The closer I got to the NOC the harder it was to envision myself missing out on a burger and bed just a mile away. I knew the rest of the group didn't really want to spend the money to stay in town, so I was feeling pretty guilty. That was until I ran into Gingersnap who reminded me that I need to hike my own hike. I realized she was right, so when Andy walked up while I was still talking to her I told him what I was thinking and that he could come or not it didn't matter to me. I was going either way. He decided to come too and we left a note for Feisty at the shelter letting her know about our change of plans. She also decided to come in to the NOC, but she was not happy about it. In fact she was quite pissed. I felt bad for a while, but then I realized they both have to hike their own hike too. If they don't want to do something they don't have to. I am mainly in this group because they are following my plan. I worked hard to make this trip happen for myself and I don't want to have any regrets about it. That means I am going to do what I want. If that means I lose the group I'm with then that's that. That may seem harsh and like a terrible group mentality and I guess it is, but I didn't set out looking for a group. It just kinda happened. The climb out of the NOC was tough... It was a pretty much all up hill day, but it was a short day. We decided to camp on top of Cheoah Bald. It was so pretty! I loved it. It definitely made the days climb worth it. I hiked by myself all day again. Like I said I'm really starting to dig that. The next morning I woke up late and the other two had already gone. It was kinda a relief. I always feel rushed in the morning with them around as they like to get going early. I finally got myself and my stuff in order and hit the trail a little after 9. They had left before 8, so I had no intention of catching up to them. I got to fully enjoy my day. Just me. This was the first day I had actually had the chance to do that and be completely alone. It was much needed. I got sun burned though that was too bad especially because my hat and sun screen where waiting for me in Fontana... ahh the irony. ha ha So today was a short day from Cable Gap Shelter into Fontana. We are staying at the Lodge tonight. Its a pretty nice place. Unfortunately not much is opened yet, but my parents are coming tomorrow to drop off my mail drop in person. I am really excited about that. Well I have already lost this entry once so I am going to go ahead and post it. More when I find time and a computer! Oh and a special thanks to the Greiners! They sent me an awesome package!I really enjoyed getting that box of goodies! I have already eaten all of the edible gifts! mhmm! and I'm wearing the festive socks as I write this!