Date: 2009-03-29
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: NC 28, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Holy cow was it cold this morning!! Coldest day we have had so far. It was right at freezing and the wind was howling all night. I got up around 2 am and fetched a few items that had blown out into the woods, and to take down some hanging items that were about to go. Hodgepodge got up and helped me out. On the other hand, I am sleeping better and better each night. I'm basing this on the fact that I'm dreaming more....and yes, they have been very weird dreams! So Plunger and Mr Right are up again way too early, especially given the conditions. Goof, Mr. Buffalo Man, Hodgepodge and I stayed snuggled in our sleeping bags until well after sunrise and weren't out of camp until well after 9 am. I think I left around 9:30 and the others didn't leave until around 10 am. By then the wind had calmed a bit and the sun was actually threatening to come out.I started out the day wearing long underwear bottoms (first time), my winter hat (first time worn while actually hiking), gloves, fleece shirt and rain anorak. I stopped about an hour into the hike and removed the hat, gloves, anorak, and thermal bottoms. By 11:30 it was pushing 50 degrees and was a beautiful morning hike. No rain....woo-hoo!!! And the sun actually came peeping out at times. The first half of the hike was awesome. Open woods....slow pace....beautiful. I've heard some people complaining about the scenery...all the dead forest...but I find it extremely beautiful. I'm trying to figure out why I like it. I figure it may have to do with lifetime memories of playing in the woods, and hunting stuff, canoe trips, etc. Plus I wish they would realize that they are getting views that they won't have when the trees are full and they won't be able to see through them. Right now, when the woods open up, you can see for hundreds of yards. That won't be the case in a month or two. Today's trail was easy walking and allowed for a lot of "sight-seeing".At about 2 pm the bottom started to fall out of the thermometer and it was back down to 34 degrees by 4pm and even spitted a little sleet a couple of times. OK..so I come to Cable Gap Shelter where I stop to have lunch. I know I only have a mile climb ahead of me and then down to Fontana Dam. So I climb the mile and pop over the top of the mountain, and there it is, the Dam. I'm like woo-hoo, there's my destination. So I'm hiking along the ridge and the Dam is off to the right and down...I can see it....it's right there. The Trail keeps going up and left....and I'm screaming "hey, I want to go right and down"...nope, up and left....dang it, the dam is down and right. After what seems like a day and a half, the trail finally turns right and down...only to zig-zag back and forth down the mountain...forever. I don't think I ever want to be able to see my destination again!! It was totally amusing for the first hour or so...then I just wanted to be there! Finally I get to the Fontana Dam Boat Launch where there is a phone to call a shuttle to the Fontana Inn where Goof, Mr. Buffalo Man, Hodgepodge, Sunnuke and Karl are staying. Goof, Mr. Buffalo Man, and I are taking a zero-day tomorrow to get some rest before tackling the Smokys over the next approximately 8 days. It's time for a zero....I've hiked for the last 10 days straight...time for some foot rest!The Inn here is a very nice and comfortable place to stay. We all had dinner together....all had prime rib....delicious...and cheesecake of course! It's nice to be warm and dry...oh yeah, hot shower...the best!!!