Date: 2007-05-25
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Robert and I are up at the same time, and also leave around the same time. Robert waits for me, letting me go first, saying, "I'm a slow old man, with a torn muscle in my chest... It's going to take me longer than you to get to Clingmans Dome!"The climb is beautiful and exhilirating, and the forest smells delectably delicious! The only downer with leaving early like this, is the dew on the tall grass! My boots are soaking wet within minutes! I want to stop and put on dry socks, but I figure I'll be at Clingmans Dome soon enough, as it's only a 2.9-mile hike North of Double Springs!Along the walk, I encounter a gentleman who is out for an early morning jog! What a nut! This is not the most difficult section of the Trail by any stretch, but it is work, what with the steep climb up Mount Buckley, then on to Clingmans Dome, and the rocks! After short conversation, he presses on, not wanting his heart rate to slow down.I reach the summit of Buckley, and can already see tourists atop the ugly observation deck on the Dome, which was jokingly referred to as a space docking station at the campfire last night, due to it's odd design. It's hard to explain, so if you haven't seen it, either go there yourself or do an image search online!Not much further, and I find myself at this odd observation deck, walking atop it. I've been here before, at least 10-years ago, yet it feels like yesterday. I remember my dad walking with me down a short segment of the Appalachian Trail, showing me where he accidentally got in between a mama bear and cubs when he hiked this section back in the 70s!I haven't had breakfast yet, as my Platypus reservoir tipped over into the creek last night, rendering it unusable until I clean it out, so I wasn't able to fill my Camelback, and I'm thus nearing empty on my water supply. I fill up my Camelback and Nalgene at the ranger station, and claim a tourists bench as my own, where I can cook my oatmeal. The beard, backpack, and primitive cooking is a dead giveaway that I'm a thru-hiker, and tourists flock to me, asking me a bazillion questions. I enjoy this for a time, and even pose for a few pictures for some of them to show their families! Nate arrives, and I watch his gear as he goes into the restroom to change his clothes: this is the end of his hike. While Nate is changing, Robert shows up, too, whom Nate has promised to drive into Gatlingburg. I say my goodbyes, and head back to the Trail, as it is fast approaching noon, and I really am not in the mood to hike in intense heat!As I walk back up the summit, two photographers ask me to pose also! I joke that I'm going to walk into a convenience store in this area one day, and find myself on a postcard!The hike North of here continues in the beautiful forest, as I hike in and out of the clouds, which keep the temperature cool. I took my time with breakfast and conversation, as I'm no rush to get to Newfound Gap, as my parents shouldn't be there until 6pm! I have but 7.9-miles to go, and I take my time! Just North of the Dome, I meet Blue Skies, a flip-flopper from I know not where! After some pleasant conversation, I push on, and shortly after encounter another ridgerunner, who goes by Shatter. He's a nice guy, but he has to be the only person I've ever seen with a bracelet on his calve! He must be proud of those leg muscles!The forest, although beautiful, is peppered with dead trees, scattered on the ground, and some still towering into the sky. Apparently, the main culprit is a European beetle; the other culprit is acid precipitation (rain, snow, and sleet), resulting from heavy traffic through the National Park, and in the nearby population centers. It's sad, but also beautiful, as there is much plant life thriving on the downed trees, providing ample food for meditation on the Resurrection.Eventually, I reach an area where there is an unheard of amount of downed trees! I then remember my conversation with the lady who drove me from the Franklin Motel back to Winding Stair Gap, who said they had some unusual wind storms recently, with hurricane force winds in some areas! I guess I am seeing the result of this, as the downed trees is overwhelming my senses, and making me want to exit this part of the Trail with much earnest.I reach Indian Gap, where the Trail shortly runs parallel to a highway (I don't know which), before darting back into the forest. I mistake this for Newfound Gap, as there's a parking lot. Wingfoot corrects me, letting me know that I have 1.7-miles to go, and a 205' descent in that short mileage spurt. As it turns out, there is first a steep climb, followed by a steep descent before coming out to highway 441 at Newfound Gap.There is a Tennessee/North Carolina border sign here, marking the elevation also, along with the title of the gap, which I have a kind tourist photograph me by. I have at least an hour before my parents arrive, and no cellphone signal. I have one dinner left, and scarf it down, as I am ravenously hungry!I read all of the interpretive signs, take pictures of the area, chat with many of the people, then just sit down on the ground, completely tired, as I await the arrival of my parents.They arrive, and excitedly honk the horn at me as the pull into the parking lot! My mom apologizes if she's embarassed me (she hasn't), saying that I deserve the                  welcome, as I have just hiked 203.6-miles to this location! She says to my dad, "He needs calories, let's go get him some beer!"We head into Gatlinburg, and check into our hotel. They ask where I'd like to eat, and I immediately tell them the Smoky Mountain Brewery. They brew their own beers, and I have been told by those whom I camped with last night, that their dark beer is to die for, even if Gatlinburg is an atrocity in the mountains (hikers tend to agree on this point)! We walk from the hotel, and are seated almost immediately at the restaurant. The beer proves to be excellent, of which I have 33.5 ounces of! I also have a nice ribeye steak, cooked medium rare, and also half of my mothers large pizza! On the way back to the hotel, I also have some ice cream from one of the many ice cream parlors along the road.At the hotel room, we chat for a little while, before I tell them that I'm too tired to talk anymore. Again, I have earned my sleep, I feel. And what wonderful sleep it is, as I am in a real bed!