Date: 2003-03-29
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitors Center
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Day 16 Things they are a changing.Weather: Rain holds off overnight, arrives about 8 a.m. Cool front moves in.All 6 of us (Dag & Mag, Mule & Driver, Riever and myself) slept in the shelter last night...if you want to call it sleep. Two strangers tented at a nice level site just above the shelter. For once, there were no entries from John and Melissa...they must have zoomed by. Curiously, there were also no entries about mice in this shelter.We all turn in at dark. I'm sleeping next to Riever who doesn't snore. Too bad it doesn't end there. There was a nice chorus going, especially early on. In fairness, I just don't sleep well. I did use my ear plugs and listened to my radio some. I probably got a couple of hours sleep. About 5 a.m. I turn on my radio and I catch the tail end of a report on the war. Not long after that I find a classic rock station that plays 3 of my favorite songs in a row...Fleetwod Mac's "You Make Lovin Fun" I have never heard anyone play the guitar like Lindsey Buckingham does in this.   And I love Christie McVie's voice. BTW,they are coming to Cleveland while I am out here hiking. The other 2 songs are "Treat Your Children Well" by Crosby, Stills Nash & Young plus "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynard Skynard At daybreak everyone gets up, packs up and starts North. I wait for the others to clear out leaving next to last. The Trail climbs 500' or so then follows some ridge lines. I hike at a slower than normal pace...don't know why, just do. Pretty soon it starts to rain and Dag & Mag pass me. I put on my parka and rain cover. We all arrive at Fontana Dam visitor Center where we huddle in the heated restrooms. We are all cold and wet. Mule calls The Hike Inn where we are booked. I noticed on the welcome board on the way in an ad for another place, Fontana Village Resort. It has private rooms available at a special hiker rate of $27. Due to some extenuating circumstances, we have to wait an hour to be picked up. When the proprietor arrives, I inquire about a private room (since I need the sleep) She doesn't have any but offers to take me to the Fontana Village. I accept. These people are very nice and seem to want to do what it takes to help the hiker.I get my 2 drop boxes; go to Fontana Village; check in and take a glorious hot shower. On the way in I see Fido Dido and we chat for a minute. I then go to the dining room for a AYCE buffet. It is very good, especially the homemade mushroom soup and lasagna. At the next table is Beth and we chat for an hour or so. In the meantime, Just Do It and Fido Dido join me and we all talk. They are moving on tomorrow while I'm taking a zero here. The weather is supposed to improve on Monday. Mule & Driver will probably leave tomorow and I will miss them greatly. Hopefully, I can catch them. But, I've got to "hike my own hike" and not slow down or speed up to stay with friends. Having said that, these guys are very special to me and a lot of fun. If we separate, it will hurt. Now that I know I can do it, I need to pick up my pace and do more miles. The next section is the Smokies where hikers must stay in shelters when space is available. If space is not available, one must tent within site of the shelter. These are the rules. We must also register as we enter the Park.For dinner tonight I'm having steak. I've been wanting this for some time. Some of you may think that I am staying at too many resorts. Well, you may be right, but I'll take 'em when I can get 'em.Thought For The Day: "Hike Your Own Hike" can hurt.