Date: 2005-04-12
From: Tri-Corner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm/Hostel
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Fweeew, lordy...well it has been awhile. I am though the Smokies. I can always say I have Hiked the Entire Smoky Mountain Range. A little recap: Did the NOC [Nantahala Outdoor Center]. That is a really cool place for white water rafting and hiking and everything outdoors. Great time there meeting up with many hikers and staying in a hostel/cabin. Loved soaking my feet in the River; I really love doing that. After leaving there with the "Bruces" we went 16 miles to Brown Shelter. We woke to a BLIZZARD. Bruce Spruce and I headed out in it to hike 13 miles to Fontana. WHITE and more WHITE...oh, and COLD. We hit the road and started hiking the wrong way, waiting for a hitch. This was a DEAD road...NO TRAFFIC. When we heard a car we stuck out our thumbs to turn and see a red Ferrari zooooooooommmm by. No luck. Then a truck pulled over and gave us a lift. Turned out to be a recent ex-senator fromTennessee. Got us to the Hotel and there we waited out the storm and visited with other hikers who had been turned to there because of the weather. Bruce Moose and Bear Bait soon joined us to split the room and we stayed two days. Now the Smokies. I certainly did not want to get caught up there in bad weather. Hiked 10 the first day 17 the second, over Rocky Top (yes, I sang the song up there and tried to cell phone reception to no avail). Then 13 miles over Clingmans Dome (the Highest point of the AT) and into Newfound Gap. Spruce got off at Clingmans and joined me at the Gap. We hitched into Gatlinburg for warmth and eats. You can see Deb's post on where we satyed. Gatlin recap: Wed 6th? Almost Lost my camera at Outfitter; Captn Chaos and Spruce got on the "Shaka" Kick (the HANG LOOSE hand sign from Hawaii) and set about taking pictures of tourists doing the sign. I have everyone on the trail doing it. Thurs - woke to Chaos leaving but his honey had ruptured in his food bag. So sad. Spent the day walking around and waiting for Moose to get out of the mountains and Spruce's family to arrive. That night dinner and dancing (break dancing) on tired legs. Friday was the Snow Crab night and BLACK BEAR BEER at the Smokey Mountain Brewery. NICE. Sat. - I went to Pigeon Forge while the others went to make up their miles on the trail. At the Old Mill I had the Biggest bowl of Corn Chowder in the world. It was the size of a football. Shopped for shoes but failed. Watched the Ultimate Fighter on TV and got set to hike the next day. Sun. I was not feeling well on the hike, something I had eaten wasnt sitting right. Doesnt make for good "looking over the edge of cliffs" type of action. Stayed at Icewater Shelter about 3 miles in. Did a 13 on Mon to TriCorner shelter. Then hit the trail hard today, Tuesday, to get out of the Smokies and did 18+ miles in to the Standing Bear Farm/Hostel on the Tennessee side (Hartford, TN) after crossing I-40. Wow, I have been all the way west on 40 and now crossed it here. Cool. Got picts that I'll post later. This is a cool place. Tommorrow I am off to do two 15 milers into Hot Springs to catch my mail drop and meet the folks for the Trail Fest Chili Cook-off. Then I'll hike on to Erwin and then hitch back for Trail Fest in Hot Springs next weekend the 22, 23, 24.The Bruces are behind me at a Shelter. Hope to see them again soon. You know, I lost a GREAT friend of mine named Bruce back in 94. We stayed with his mother and visited his grave in England last year. He wanted to work for the National Parks and I have thought about him often on the trail, as I have thought about most everyone and everything. I wished he was here. Today, I asked the "Bruces" why they chose that name? You see, nether of them IS a Bruce or has Bruce in their name or family name. It just rhymed with Moose and Spruce and they had thought it funny when they came up with the name. Me, I think my ole friend Bruce has found a way to be with me after all. Just a thought.OH, Dont forget, What if...? Brain Aneurysm awareness. www.bafound.org AND, keep signing my journal, I love getting that stuff. On On to the next adventure.