Date: 2004-04-10
From: Fontana, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We have another milestone at this shelter. We have just 2000 miles to go before reaching Katahdin.I had another late start although I was packed and ready by 7:30. Nancy loaded us into her truck to take us to the dam in Fontana. "Old-wing" grabbed the front seat as always while Palmtree and I sat in the back. Cat's husband was picking her and the dog up so she agreed to see us later at Mollies Ridge Shelter.I had mentioned earlier that I had to use the payphone at the visitor center of the dam, but "Old-wing" also wanted to be dropped there as well while Palmtree wanted to head into the mountains. Palmtree convinced me to let Nancy drop me at the shelter a half mile south. She probably thinks I'm an indecisive chook but I know I made the right call.I ended up going to breakfast with the Hilton gang, reuniting with Saltlick, Hotrocks, and then bumping into Catdog with her husband at the Fontana Inn. Digit and two women, Coyote and Snail, joined us for breakfast as well. Cat's husband, Gary, offered to drive us to the trailhead. While in the truck, I got talking to the statuesque Snail. She was only hiking north to Tennessee because she had hiked south from Katahdin a few years ago until she sustained an injury that forced her off Trail. While listening to her, I recognized a familiar accent--sure enough, she is from MA.Gary then offered to take our packs to the other side of the dam. So I performed my first slackpack of approximately .4 miles. Guess I'm not a purist.To delay things even longer, we all had to have our group shot at the Smokies sign. I really think we all wanted to delay the tough four mile climb ahead.I went at it with a steady pace. Coyote and Snail were right behind me. Coyote is a character and managed to sing almost every Disney movie song for the hour we hiked up that trail. It was very entertaining and helped pass the time.I stopped for a bit and let them go ahead. Part of the day I walked alone and completely zoned out. This happens to many thru-hikers apparently. I basically went off trail in my mind. When I returned, I had to climb up hill again. Sigh.The rest of the afternoon I walked with Cat and Saltlick. We had to catch up on gossip since we spent the night apart.Digit had disappeared. Later when he showed up at the shelter, he said something about working and headed on. I really think he just wants to sleep at the same site as Coyote. She was here but decided to go ahead as well. There is a good chance we'll see all these people again at Trailfest in Hot Springs.Mollie Ridges Shelter is a newly renovated site with a fireplace and no chain fence to seperate us from the bears. At night you can see the lights of Knoxville, TN off to the NE. It was a full house but still rather peaceful. Saltlick and I were the youngest hikers there and I started longing for the crowd that is two days ahead of us. No worries. These things work out somehow that we all bump into each other again.Just another note. We've been saying good bye to a few hikers getting off trail. Mouth and Sunshine Man left because Sunshine woke up in Fontana with breathing problems. Meander left the trail because she realized she liked short backpacks better. Granny Pants left due to tendenitis (sp?) but may return after the Smokies.