Date: 2015-03-17
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

First official day of rest! My body (especially toes) are grateful for the time. So far on this trip, I have met mostly Americans, some Canadians, and a couple of German guys. I'm seemingly the first British person to be hiking this year, and I frequently get asked firstly: how did I hear about the Appalachian Trail, and secondly: why did I want to do it? I usually respond that I read about it on the Internet, and then that my reasons are the same as everyone else, just a bit further away. (Although I did tell someone the other day it's because we don't have the Appalachians in England.) ~Today we had a very relaxed day. I slept very well for a non-real bed night. The main thing that woke me up was my left little toe, which seems to be pinching with every movement now. I woke up hungry, and had the last two of my strawberry oats packets from the very first supply way back on March 3rd. This was of course after I had replastered my toes. We caught the shuttle into Fontana village with Roadside, Hermit and two other guys. The roads here are extremely curved, and I later learned that this is actually called the tail of the dragon, and is a favourite spot for bikers. It has more than 300 curves in 11 miles. Fontana village is a little holiday resort that boasts 2 restaurants, a general store, swimming pool, mini golf, ice cream store, expensive lodge and a petrol station. To our great frustration, the majority of the resort is closed until tomorrow. So, we could only go to the Lodge (for parcels, that actually didn't arrive yet) and the Pit Stop station. The Pit Stop was a petrol station combined with a bar, diner and shop. It was an expensive resupply again. 4 days of food cost about $30. That was some instant mash, ramen noodles, 1 pasta side, 4 snack bars, pepperoni, 4 days of instant oats, 1 pack of Welchs fruit. The others ordered pizza whilst I got nachos, and stole the free wifi. Then I had some incredible news that I was completely surprised by. I received a scholarship to study History at Cambridge University in October 2015. For those that don't know me well- this is my dream course at my dream university, and I wouldn't be able to go without a substantial scholarship.The past few days I had been thinking about what I would be doing after the trail. Now I know for sure, and it's so hard to believe. This whole day feels like a dream. It's a perfect day for a zero. After that, it was a bit of a haze. I called some of my friends and family, and ate my nachos. I sorted out the admin side of accepting the scholarship- which involved going back up to the fancy Lodge. Brightside, Roadside and Hermit were very patient with me and my slightly out of it actions. The Lodge was kind enough to let me use their printer and scanner without question. The resort was like a ghost town. It was a little spooky. Brightside and I walked back to the Pit Stop, where I got some mini donuts and was gifted a beer from another hiker in honour of St Patrick's day. It was a very relaxed lunchtime. After that, we returned to the Fontana Hilton where we discovered that FreshGround had set up!! He fixed everyone lunch, and cooked non-stop. We had sloppy Joes for lunch, and he had even remembered to get English Breakfast tea from the last time we met! He also had biscuits and bananas. For the first time in a few days, I was finally full. We also reunited with Greywolf, Axom and Shrug, and the Rhode Island express boys. The sun was shining, I was filled with great food and great news, with wonderful hiker friends. I sat in the grass for a bit and listened to FreshGround talk for a while. What a gorgeous, perfect afternoon. The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging around the shelter, reading, talking to other hikers, washing my clothes, sorting my new food, applying aloe to my sunburns. Then back to FreshGrounds for dinner. Hot dogs and more Twinings English Breakfast tea. Later, FreshGround gave me some dehydrated food to add to my instant mash and ramen. The man is a real trail angel. I hope some day I can return and help him or repay him for all his kindness. Tomorrow I'm back on the trail with a full pack, full stomach, and full future ahead. Smokies, I'm coming for you!