Date: 2007-06-02
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 74.7
Weather: overcast clouds

One month is gone already. I can hardly believe it. Maybe it's because I¢m riding in a car today instead of hiking up, over and around mountain tops. Our shuttle picked us up at the shelter right on time. Everyone was up. Some were hitting the trail over the dam going into the Smokies. Some were going into the small town of Fontana to pick up a supply box from the Post Office or to resupply from the outfitters. One young man was going to our destination to pick up his car at the end of his hike. We were able to split the $135 shuttle fee 3 ways. The ride went fast with good company and fabulous scenery. The arrival at Standing Bear Farm had many surprises. We shared the two-bed cabin with the temporary caretaker, Elizabeth, and her very big dog, Harley. He was lovable to us and excited to see Chloe. Elizabeth took us to Newport and Wal-Mart. We quickly went through our supply box and made a shopping list. Along with hiking supplies, we bought meals for two days at the hostel. A steak dinner, of course, and all the fixings for a spaghetti dinner. Back at the farm I took some time to look around. Now we¢re talking old. I don¢t think I have ever seen buildings that looked older. I couldn¢t even imagine living facilities older. This adds a lot of character to the place. It¢s supposed to offer an experience of what life was like in the ¢good old days¢. The bunk house has a wood burning stove in the center and is lined on both sides with bunk beds. The kitchen shack has a microwave, a 3 burner cast iron propane stove, apartment or office size fridge, one tap (cold) sink and a motly assortment of cups, plates, cooking pots, pans and utensils. Not to be found even in the Goodwill store, but serviceable. I made great spaghetti sauce. The pizza oven heats frozen pizza and did a fine job on our Wal-Mart fried chicken. Next to the kitchen is a large fire pit and combo laundry/computer building. I wanted to view our picture CD, but the computer only had a floppy drive. I¢ll say no more. The last building for hikers was a stone root cellar with a building on top. This was the hiker supply store. The dry goods were well stocked and the two refrigerators held sodas, sandwiches and frozen pizza. All were price marked and the honor system used exclusively. A creek runs under the cabin and winds through the buildings. A resident copperhead snake lives along the creek but I never saw him. After cooking we sat around the fire drinking beer and wine until it was time to eat. It was getting dark and time to shower. I have saved the best for last. The shower building has an outside and an inside stall. The outside shower has a stone floor with sidewalls from your shoulders to your knees. The showerhead is centered in the ceiling above. The inside shower is a molded fiberglass stall with a centered overhead showerhead also. I needed light so Elizabeth brought in a car mechanics drop light and hung it up. The sink was a galvanized bucket plumbed with a hole in the center. Plenty of hot water. I shudder to mention the mouldering privy. It was out of red worms so it was now an outhouse since no mouldering was going on. Larry never used it. He preferred the woods. I use anything with a seat, mouldering or not. It was a very long day and bedtime came early. Larry and Chloe made room for me. Guess which one was growling. Today was the most painful day yet with my heel. I am worn out with the pain.