Date: 2007-06-03
From: Columbia, Md

To: Comfort Inn, Harpers Ferry, WVA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

I just felt terrible all day. I had to walk a little in the rain and I tell you it was no fun. I did do some socializing with some firefighters in Annapolis, MD. I enjoyed those 2 hours and not much more after noon. I took some tylenol pms; forced myself to eat; and drink. I wondered how long that I would have this bug and if I needed to go to the DR. Every year or two; I will get a fever like this and it can last 2-4 days with temps that go from 104 to 100 and I break fever after fever. I cannot intake enough water. Anyway, it is going to give me a few days to write about whatever I want. I think reader demand is The Hawk @Fontana Dam Shelter story. Circa June 15th 2005 at the Fontana Dam TVA Shelter.("The Fontana Hilton") The first thing that I must say is that both Hawk and I, have apologized to one another for what went down that night. I think we both would have done many things differently. I feel that I should write about the incident now vs then because time has passed and I think Hawk will be OK with the story. He and I, have not went through the story bit, by bit, like we will. Many people have asked for me to tell this story including "Alley Cat"(who said to me, 'why did you call the police on my Hawk?') & "Mo Lassus; The Jersey Diamond". I was on the second leg of my, "trying to do the southern half of the Smokies in one summer Trek". My plan was to do endless week hikes into the Smokies, until "something gave". It was alot like my other adventures with me starting June 1st 2005 out of shape and in the process over several months of getting into better and better shape; each weeklong trip. I had just come off of the Lakeshore Trail and had resupplied and cleaned up to go back to Forney Creek and follow it up near Clingman's Dome. I was excited because I had got my circadian rythym back into a waking early and going to bed early mode and was looking forward to getting some good sleep. Now this was my first mistake. I know that The Fontana Hilton was a bad shelter during peak hiker season to get any sleep. Well, went I went down to the shelter, I could see that it was full; so, I set my tent up outside the shelter. As I was setting up my tent, around dark: I noticed two late teens and a young man leave the shelter. I remember saying to myself; I hope they do not come back all tanked up? This was my second mistake. I should have left and found another more secluded spot because it looked like there would be some sort of "ruckuss", later. As luck would have it: @ midnight: "Hawk"; "The Samsonite Twins" and a young female employee of the Fonatana Village Resort showed up in a Resort white van. When they got out of the van; "they yelled, yahoo.....wohoo....etc". Should have left right there; but, it was probably too late, already. As they passed my tent, one of the Samsonite Twins yelled at me, "Kick his Ass!" I said that I am not going to kick anyones ass; but, asked if they were for real? I could not believe how loud they were being; what they were saying; and that they were getting ready to build a fire and eat hotdogs! Now in normal circumstances: I might have joined these boys for a good ole beer; but it was midnight with about 12-20 other campers all inside and outside the shelter. Mainly, first time AT hikers with their young children. There was also a church group with about 8 members who all read bible verses and said prayers before they went to bed. There was also some long distance hikers who supposedly told Miss Janet a similar story as mine; but, felt that I should have just let Hawk and them be. In all actuality; I would have probably done so, except that Hawk started making taunts towards us in the shelter and outside the shelter. (pause for now)