Date: 2008-05-17
From: Stream/campsite

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to Shar calling out my name from outside my tent. She had caught up to me while I was still sleeping. I got up, made my standard breakfast, packed up my wet tent, and we headed out. I had cell phone coverage for a minute and so checked my voicemail - Amber had finally gotten the flowers I sent her! They had delivered them at like 5:45 PM - who works that late delivering flowers on a Friday?!We made it into Fontana Dam shortly after 10:00 AM, it was only 2.5 miles from where I had camped. We picked up the Great Smoky Mountains permit, used the nice bathrooms (running water is so great, esp. when it's hot!!), got rid of our trash (another great thing, a dumpster!!) and walked out on the dock, to the store. It was more of a fishing supply store than anything else, but they did have snacks. I had an ice cream and donuts and picked up some Combos for later. We watched some kids trying to catch this big bass that you could see at the bottom of the lake, but with no luck.The hike from the crossing to the dam itself was only 1.4 miles, but of course they had to make it go up and down about 10 times, or so it seemed. "No summit left untouched" is what the motto of the AT should be. We finally made it to the dam, and about 100 yards from the building is a sign: "Hikers, leave packs here". I said "Let's just pretend we're illiterate", and we kept our packs on. Like who's going to leave their pack, which is their lifeline out here, sitting next to a road in a parking lot, 100 yards away and out of sight? I mean come on, what were they thinking?!So we kept our packs on and went to use the showers. A free shower is nice, but I was disappointed. The shower was a communal shower - there was one pole sticking out of the floor with 5 shower heads on it. Luckily for me no one else was there. It still sucked though as it kept changing pressure/temperature constantly, and I kept bumping my head on the handle trying to rinse my hair. And then I didn't have a towel, so I used my bandanna to dry off. Have you ever tried that? Let me save you the trouble - it doesn't work all that well!We visited the visitor center, the guide there was really nice and helpful, and didn't mind our stench (even though we had showered we had to put back on the same stinky clothes). We looked around, took some pictures, watched the short 5 minute movie on the making of the dam, then went and had lunch. The gift store owner let us move the chairs into the sun, which was really nice of her. It was great to sit in a rocking chair in the sun and eat! As we were eating Mighty Mouse came up, without her pack. She had followed the directions on the stupid sign and left her pack back there! We got a nice laugh out of that. Eventually we finished eating, and then the owners of Justice (the dog) showed up in their car - they had promised Mighty Mouse a ride into town. We only had 9.9 miles to go from the dam to the shelter, but didn't get started till after 2:00 PM. It was at least nice weather. I quickly left Shar behind. The views from the Shuckstack fire tower were great! Even though the hike was mostly uphill, I didn't find it too difficult, and made it into camp by 7:30. Made dinner, set up my tent and tried to get in touch with Shar. She left a voicemail, but I couldn't understand it, but I figured it meant she wasn't going to make it here tonight. Jack the ridgerunner was really nice, he was concerned about Shar and even offered to go looking for her! I told him she was probably too far back and he agreed. He had a weather radio - rain all day tomorrow, yea, can't wait for that.