Date: 2013-04-11
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Clingmans Dome
Miles today: 10.1

Happy birthday, Pops!Motivated by town, I awoke early. I broke camp by 7:15 a.m. but I wasn¢t the first to leave. The forecast called for thunderstorms, and most hikers were doing a short day or trying to reach town. Nails and Dirtdog caught up with me a few miles down the trail. They said they¢d split the shuttle with me from Clingmans to Gatlinburg. I said I¢d try to keep up, since my leg was still bothering me. We managed to maintain the same pace throughout the day, mainly because they¢d pull ahead but then take a break and I hiked with no breaks. We ran into the ridge runner near Silers Bald Shelter. Ridge runners are paid by the ATC and monitor the trail¢s conditions and give conditions to hikers. He told us there was a 90% chance of thunderstorms that afternoon. We told him our goal was Clingmans, then Gatlinburg, and he said we should make it. When we got to Double Spring Gap Shelter, it was nearly full by 11:00 a.m. Right after that shelter, the forest type changed from oak/beech to spruce/fir. It was a wonderful change of scenery, and we finally had some shade! We climbed another 1,000 feet over the next two hours and summited Clingmans to completely clear views! Dirtdog took my picture, and I texted it to my dad in honor of his birthday.We then hiked down to the parking lot and threw up our thumbs. Within two minutes, we got a bite, although they couldn¢t take us all. Nails told me to take the hitch, since it would be easier for her to get another hitch. I thanked her immensely and jumped in with Scott and Kelly. The ride to Gatlinburg took about 35 minutes. The first half was pleasant, as I told them about the trail and its traditions. Then Scott asked me about my religious background and proceeded to give me a 20-minute sermon about biblical Christianity. I was polite but felt trapped. Even when we got to the motel, he preached for another five minutes before releasing me.I first tried to get a room at the Grand Prix, but they were full, so I moved next-door to the Motel 6 for $30. It was the first time on the trail I had the luxury of a private room. In the lobby, I ran into Nails and Dirtdog. They said they got a hitch within 10 minutes. We got side-by-side rooms and agreed to shower up and head to dinner. We went to the Smokey Mountain Brewery, and I had, for the first time in weeks, meat, specifically a tasty burger. I also enjoyed two Appalachian Trail Pale Ales. It was all delicious, and we had a terrific conversation about small business pleasures and challenges.After dinner, I decided to stroll Gatlingburg¢s strip. I grabbed some ice cream and almost drunkenly strolled the streets. Gatlinburg had been described as Hillbilly Vegas, and it was a sight to behold. On my way back to my hotel room, I stopped at the NOC. There I ran into Mr. Rogers and he suggested karaoke later.I ran into Violet at the Grand Prix. She said she was doing well but had to take a few days off to rest an injury. She didn¢t have any updates on Burrito and Salsa and didn¢t know how to contact him or whether he had a trail journal. She recommended Bennett¢s BBQ as a good, close AYCE breakfast place.I then chilled in my room and watched TV. Later I went back to the brewery expecting karaoke, but it was not happening. I returned to my room and Mr. Rogers called. Apparently karaoke was at the Wild Boar Saloon, so we headed out. Wales, The Patriot, and Steph were there. Soon after we arrived, it started to rain. By then, it was 10:00 p.m., much later than the forecast, and I thought about all of the hikers that had unnecessarily stopped early in the day.We spent the night getting stupid and singing terrible songs--or rather, singing songs terribly. Yee-haw!