Date: 2017-11-16
From: Birch Spring Tentsite

To: Fontana Dam Visitors Center
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

It sprinkled rain several times throughout the night but was decidedly warmer than it had been at higher elevations in the Smokies. I slept fairly well but woke up feeling as if I definitely had a cold. My plan for this hike was to at least get to Winding Stair Gap, Franklin NC. Last fall I hiked north from Amicolola Falls State Park to Winding Stair Gap as my shakedown hike, and since I¢m no longer seeking thru-hiker status, didn't feel I needed to repeat this section. (Though I probably would have in warmer temperatures.) Anyways, I¢m a little over 50+ miles north of Winding Stair Gap and felt a little heartbroken with my decision this morning to stop hiking when I got to the Dam. If the nights were a bit warmer I feel like I could have just slowed down and easily made it to Franklin with this head cold, but my thinking is, a head cold with the forecast of cold weather and possible rain on Saturday are not a good mix. I¢m not far from home so gave Mr N a call to pick me up. I may possibly come back in a week or so and hike this short section if I can get a window of good weather or possibly just wait until spring and do it as warmup for NY to ME. It was really hard to say goodbye to my friends, Mudsmeller and Cutie Handful. Over the past month or so we have hiked together and I really enjoyed their company and got to like them very much. We never actually walked the trail together because we have different paces, but it was always great to see them at a break or at camp. As I got to know them better it became apparent that we had much more in common than just the fact that we have hiked a parallel hike this year. Well, there was a fork in the trail for us today as they continue on their quest to reach Springer Mountain and I wish them safe travels and happy trails. I hope we can hike together again next year as we both finish the trail, NY to ME. It was a great sunny day and pretty much all down hill for my exit out of the Smokies. I did stop at the Shuckstack fire tower and pushed through my fear of heights to climb to the top. It was a fitting end to this section to see the fantastic views of the Smokies from where I¢d come and Lake Fontana where I was headed. I did meet 2 friendly guys, George and Boo, heading up to the Smokies who it turns out are friends with the county extension agent at the farmers market I¢m involved with back home. They rolled around with laughter at the thought of me using the nickname they had given him and told me to use it when I see him again at the farmers market. They were hoping for snow and I bet they will see some on Saturday. As I walked across the Dam I could see Mr N in our truck driving towards me and I choked up as he stopped to pick me up and gave me a big hug right in the middle of the no parking zone. We stopped at a diner in Stecoah and I enjoyed my last cheeseburger and fries before I resume more healthy eating habits. My kitty, Moses was so happy to see me and it feels great to be home! Mr N is going to make me a pot of his famous Mexican Chicken Soup with lots of garlic and jalepenos to flush out this cold and I'm chugging elderberry syrup and sipping Echinacea tea. I'm happy!!! Hell, I just hiked 1208 miles of the Appalachian Trail this year! Thank you so much for the notes of encouragement from friends, family, strangers and hikers I met on the trail. They really meant a lot and I felt the love!To be continued at a later date¢¦.Happy Trails Everyone! Signing off for now, Nemophilist