Date: 2009-04-17
From: The Hike Inn

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0

The last few days the weather has been beautiful. The days are long and sunny and despite being amongst the trees I'm catching some rays. I've got myself a very attractive hiker tan--especially on my right arm since I only hike with one pole so that arm is more exposed. I'm rocking my standard raccoon-eye-ring face color. It's going to be super attractive once I break down and start hiking in shorts...I hear sock tans are in this year. The trail down here is so different in character than up north. Along with the standard ups and downs, for a lot of the days the trail traverses the sides of the mountains and cuts in through cascading rhodedenderon and mountain laurel patches. Then randomly it gets very mossy and green (lower elevations). I've been keeping my eye out for R.O.U.S's so as not to get ambushed. The day I left Franklin it rained almost all day. I got to the shelter and expected it to be full but surprise, surprise-- it was empty. I was starting to think I'd have it to myself when two of my friends rolled in (Sis and Thunderpants). I hadn't seen them for days so it was a great surprise. A bit later the other fella I've been rolling with made it in too(Skeeter). Very happy to be in good company. The next day I made it down to the Nantahala River where a lot of people come to ride the whitewater. I picked up some maildrops full of goodies and hung out in the sun in front of the outfitter for the afternoon. Sis and T.P. went into town because they'd been out in the rain for a few days and needed some luxury. Skeeter and I threw our tents down by the river and kicked it for the night. The climb up out of the valley is a long uphill so I was up and out by 6:30 to get a jump on it. Again, thought I might have the shelter to myself but some people came late, including Skeeter. Poor little guy (he's only 19) had been doing 10 mile days and has been busting his hump to try to stay in my circuit. I think yesterday may have been his breaking point. He got in after 9pm and was not happy about it. Right now I'm in Robbinsville running errands. I hiked into Fontana Dam and am staying at a hiker inn for the night. The lake at the dam is enormous. I didn't take too much time checking it out because I was fixated on finishing today's walk. I tipped an ankle in the dark this morning and have been nursing a twang ever since. Of course it's my right ankle so it matches my bum hip beautifully. I peg-legged the duration of the hike today and was very happy to have a ride waiting for me when I hit the dam to get me off my feet, into a shower and clean clothes. I have to say, I smell pretty rank. I've been good about not living on candy bars and instead have been eating a lot of grains and fish and vegetables... ok, and nutella, but whatever. I would have thought the healthier food would translate into better smelling funk. Not the case...in fact, I'd say quite the opposite. Note to self--no more onions. Tomorrow morning I officially enter the Smokey Mountains. I'm very excited. That and Shenandoah are two places I never REALLY thought I'd make it to. I'm not leaving until I see some bears in them there hills... and they can have my food bag as long as they stop long enough for me to take a picture.