Date: 2018-03-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 21Even though our tent site was not that great, if we lay on the edge of our neo-air mattress just right we could get pretty comfortable. But, being comfortable didn't mean we got much sleep as about the time everyone was hitting the hay a couple of local dogs came into camp and started running around and barking every time someone or something moved. This went on all night, each time any noise was made the two dogs would run up and down the hill barking continually and sniffing around everyone's tents. We weren't sure if they were friendly or not, but in the morning we saw they had collars and seemed friendly, if not a little skiddish. We woke pretty early and started packing to get to town. About the time we were ready to leave, the dogs were gone. We heard from Katherine and Taylor that the dogs ran in and out of the shelter all night and those sleeping in the shelter were concerned about their neo-air mattresses getting damaged, and their sleeping bags getting dirty from the dogs. A couple of little ups and then one big down to the road. After the ups Mary set out on a torrid pace downhill, determined not to let anyone pass her (This was after I said the wildebeest were being chased from behind...). She did well for a couple of miles, but soon she got tired and when the down got steeper and rockier she eventually had to let a few hikers pass us. We made good time down none the less and quickly called for the Fontana Lodge shuttle. By the way, as we came out of the woods there was a guy standing by a truck who asked if we "spent the night with his dogs". We said they were in camp for the night, but had left early in the morning. He said the dogs go up to that shelter all the time, and maybe they went back home the other way. He was waiting to make sure they didn't try to cross the road. We checked into our room and decided to get our laundry started before lunch. Unfortunately, when we got to the laundry room they had 5 stacked washer/dryers and only one worked. We were 2nd on the list that was started, but it took a long time. Mary went to work on the journal and I stayed to do our laundry. By the time the laundry was done, the restaurant had stopped serving lunch and wouldn't open until 5:00 for dinner. We grabbed a couple of snacks from the store while we did our resupply to hold us over until dinner. We didn't need much of a resupply as we had a package sent to the lodge and it arrived in time. We hung out and organized stuff until it was time for dinner. We were first in line at the restaurant and had a good meal. We have most of our stuff organized for tomorrow, so off to bed because tomorrow is a big climb into the Smoky Mountains. Side note, Fontana Lodge is a nice place to stop. The Lodge is clean, rooms are good, restaurant is good and the resupply is adequate if not a little pricey (which is to be expected). We were however disappointed that they didn't seem to care about the laundry situation as some machines had an out of service tag dated long ago. Also, when I stayed here in 2011 the courtesy van picked you up and brought you to the lodge free of charge if you were staying on site. Now it is $3 per person each way whether or not you are staying at the lodge or just coming up to resupply. I know this is just the start of the season for them, but this place is bustling with a lot of hikers spending a lot of money, which I think is probably a bonus for them this time of year.