Date: 2003-03-17
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We got motivated in anticipation of hot showers and clean clothes. We left at 8:20 and booked it. There were a lot of bump bumps (that's what Charles from the other day told us that we'd have all the way to Fontana Dam). Basically, lots of short uphills and downhills. We (Oopu and I) hiked a lot together. We found every slippery rock. I ended up turning my right ankle (my good one) really bad twice and I slipped on my first rock. I did it as gracefully as I could. Oopu had some really funny saves from his falls. I hurt really bad today. The downhill was not fun. My knees, ankles, and feet hurt. I wasn't craving food or a bed--only warm water to soak my feet. We could see the 30 mile lake for miles and miles. It was so blue and pretty. It did take forever to reach it though. It started raining as we limped into the little public area at Hwy 28 - still 1.4 miles to Fontana Dam. It was the most miserable 1.4 miles. We ended up doing 11.2 miles in 4 1/2 hours. Speck and I ended up walking to the shelter - Fontana Hilton - that had a great view of the lake. Our shuttle came. We got into the van hearing Nora Jones - a song we've been singing daily "On a Cloudy Day." Pretty cool. We ended up driving like 30 seconds to the public area where we were (sort of makes you hate hiking or either cars) and picked up Early Riser, Denmark, and 3 other hikers. Boy we smelled great! Poor guy who had to drive us - he just about had his head out the window. By now it was raining hard. We went to Fontana Village - where just about everything was closed. Red and Dean told us that several others ended up going to the Hikers Inn. There they do your laundry and have free shuttles and cheap food and supplies. I suggested we go there. We did laundry - 8 washing machines and only 1 worked - for hours. It pretty much stinks having to walk everywhere here - especially in the pouring rain. The food truck came in today so we were able to have a variety at the restaurant. Right now a bunch of us are hanging out around the fire place. It's so weird cause we are the only people here. Just found out we are going to war - I hate that. Diesel is playing the guitar. It seems like we are a big family. These are the people we see everyday. We struggle together and enjoy moments like these. About how I am - I'm glad that we are here. My body is physically whooped. Good to let my blisters heal and my feet rest. The shower was like a taste of Heaven. I feel good mentally and great spiritually. A note to thru hikers - don't believe anybody and don't totally rely on any trail books. Don't get me wrong. They are great on water sources and let you know where you are, but the elevation sucks. It'll give you elevations but not the in betweens. It's discouraging if you don't watch out. Today I realized all the things I have passions for. When I get back home, I want to be a poet, an artist - to draw all the wonderful sights I've seen, a musician - to get better on the piano and the guitar, to learn to play the violin, to spend most of my time outside, buy a boat, and so much more. Also, I think I have an allergic reaction to the silk liner and silk long underwear. My legs are broken out from waist down to feet - my feet not getting along with the duct tape. I have only seen birds so far. No bears and nothing else. Diesel almost stepped on a snake earlier. Hopefully we'll see more wildlife later.