Date: 2008-04-16
From: Hot Springs

To: Erwin
Miles today: 107.7
Weather: clear sky

The Bandit Stole the SmokiesA few weeks ago I woke up in Georgia right before the border with North Carolina. The weather up to that point had but blue skies and sunshine. Granted we did have some cold mornings and snow, but as the day went on, the sun shore brighter and thawed you out.Well as soon as I crossed into North Carolina, BAM! Nothing but rain clouds, fog, and never ending rain. At first it was a welcome change to all the sun that was occurring, but after about 4 days you get a little tired of seeing nothing but fog and not being able to see the great views that North Carolina has to offer.The weather continued this way to the border with the Smokies. The first night I took off before the Smokies was when all these tornados were appearing around the area. Watching the Weather Channel, you could see on one of their spiffy maps where all the major incidents occurred from the storm, but for some reason there was some bubble protecting the mountains I was around.Early on Sunday morning I made my run for the Smokies. Now there was a lot of controversy since the Dam was "Closed for Construction" and the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) who was responsible for building the dam in the 1930's wanted all the hikers to take a 2 mile side trail that you had to hike down then back up before you began your trek up into the Smokies.Well I went to the visitor's center where the Dam began to use the restrooms. When I was done cleaning up, the early morning fog was rolling over the Dam that had all its light reflecting off the fog in a mystical way. I realized that I was enjoying this view all by myself with no workers on the Dam or security personnel.Since I had about 2 days off before entering the Smokies, I sprang forth on the climb into the Smokies like a Pinball shot out of its chute with no obstacles out of its way.The weather in the Smokies was perfect, which completely made up for the first part of North Carolina. One of the highlights of the trip was the "Rock Star" day. During this way I was hiking for another Thru-Hiker since we had the same destination for the night. Early in morning we reached "Clingmans Dome" which is the highest point on the AT. So that the general public can also enjoy the great views, there is a parking lot a half mile away from the top.I felt like I was in a zoo where I was an animal enclosed in a zoo. All the day hikers, which were mainly from Minnesota or Indiana, asked me all kinds of questions about the trail, thru-hiking, and if I was crazy. It was easy to tell who was from Indiana since each one was wearing some kind of Colts gear.Later that afternoon we arrived at Newfound Gap, where again we encountered several other day-hikers. This time people wanted to take pictures of us, wished us the best luck, and told us we should document this experience through MySpace. That got me laughing pretty hard.To finish off the day we ended up at a shelter were two families were camping for the first time. Not only that, but there was a photographer there that was making a portfolio of Thru-hikers and wanted to take portraits of us. Hey, why not.For the kids of the family that were camping out, you could tell the look of admiration in their eyes and were asking a million questions a minute. This was fun for a while, but then a large group of thru-hikers reached the shelter and the mood shifter to a large party afterwards.Early the next morning was probably the best morning on the trail. Everyone woke up before the sun rose and was able to see a sea of clouds up ahead where a few mountain peaks were surfacing above the clouds. Slowly the sun came up and not a sound was made around camp.Wait, make that...not a sound was made but the sound of 15 cameras and videos going off like we were the paparazzi.After I was done with the Smokies I went back to Columbia for a good friend's wedding. As soon as I came back with a few days a rest, I turned into a sprung Pinball again and dominated some miles the next couple of days. During these two days, I had about 1-3 inches of snow fall, and then melt the next day.Now it's off to Erwin, TN.