Date: 2003-04-03
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Dam, N.C.
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a wild, noisy night. The wind whipped through the gap with such force that on several occasions I thought that my tent would blow down, but it held strong. The flapping of the tent flies was constant and loud, so sleep was sporadic from 2am until I got up for good at 6:15.Already, the camp was stirring and the first hiker, a 19 year old named Steve, left at 6:30. I was out by 7:15 due to the 11.6 miles that were ahead of me. Like every morning, I ate an energy bar as I walked and carried my 16 oz bottle of water that I make myself drink in the first hour on the trail.It was a beautiful morning and I had stopped within the hour to remove my R-1 Flash shirt and traded it for a short sleeved capaine one. At 10:30 I stopped at the Cable Gap Shelter for lunch. I cooked lunch again today both for a good meal and a lengthy rest. I removed my boots, made a dehydrated meal of 3 bean chili (which I won't buy again! It was tasty but............enough said about that), and enjoyed the company of Ted, Mountain Dew and Matt while I ate. This shelter, like the Cold Spring Shelter, was built in 1933 of massive timbers and is quite beautiful despite the extensive graffiti. The spring was just feet from the shelter which is such a treat to tired hikers. I had gone 6.1 miles in 3.25 hours, a good start to the day. The zip was back in my step, my pack felt like it was a part of me, and I was anxious to get to Fontana and retrieve my first mail drop before the Post Office before it closed at 4:30.Today I was treated to many blooming wild flowers on the sides of the trail. I hadn't seen Spring Beauties in years and it reminded me of a neighbor and dear friend of my Mom's, Pat Raynor, who had introduced me to the wonders of wild flowers when I was only 12 years old. She also bought me my first banana split after one of our forays into the woods. Unfortunately, Pat lost her life in a tragic auto accident a year later. I felt her there with me in the forest today.I arrived at Rt. 28 and was pleasantly surprised to find a phone to call the Fontana Village for a shuttle to the Inn. I was so relieved not to have to stick out my thumb for a ride!After checking in, I immediately went to the outfitter to get a pair of shorts and t-shirt to wear while I was in town. It was sunny and hot and I couldn't bear the thought of putting on my raingear to do my laundry. These new clothes will go in my bounce box and will be worn every time I go into towns for laundry and re-supply.While my clothes were washed and dried I went to the Post Office to collect my 3 packages and to the General Store to get postcards and ibuprofen.The store was completely out of ibuprofen, and when I asked if they expected it in by tomorrow (I can't begin to tel you how important ibuprofen is to me right now and my next town visit 4 days away!), I was told, "No, they haven't been here since October and we can't get them to come back". I paid $2.30 for 12 Excedrin tablets and then found lots of ibuprofen in my bounce box! I was saved!!While waiting for the dryer, I met hiker Scott (from trailjournals.com) and hiker Ian from London. I believe his trail name is Tenderfoot. We decided to meet in the only restaurant in the village for dinner at 6pm.I made several phone calls to family. No one was home at the cottage, but I was able to talk to my sister Kim for the first time since getting on the trail. My almost 4 year old niece, who I used to talk to 2-3 times a week wasn't home, so I'll call back tomorrow. Several days ago, Julia had asked Kim if Aunt Diane was done her walk in the woods yet.A hiker named Steve joined us for dinner. Monday, the 7th will be Steve's 20th birthday, so happy birthday Steve, wherever you will be by then.It's now 10:30pm, and sleep is not coming to me, probably due to the 2 glasses of iced tea (with lots and lots of ice) that I drank with dinner.Of course it's not a problem because tomorrow I have no-where to go and nothing to do but watch my blisters heal.