Date: 2009-04-12
From: FontanaÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂHiltonÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂShelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Last night was a real hoot around the fire. I forgot to mention that Sunchild's aunt made a whole shoe box of Heath Bars. And he shared them with all of us. They were delicious. I turned in pretty early because I knew I had a long day today. The morning fog lifting off Fontana Lake made for some nice photos. I crossed Fontana Dam and entered Tennessee. Yay! My third state. And I entered the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I did fill out my backcountry permit to hike in the Smokies while I was at AT Crossing yesterday. The terrain was up,very up. Shuckstack Mountain was over a two thousand foot climb and I really wanted to climb the tower when I got to it because it was such a clear day. But,¢Oh Butter!¢I got to the place where you go to see Shuckstack Tower and some hikers coming down said there was a mama bear and her two cubs just around the turn. So I didn't go to the tower. Instead I followed the hikers(for protection ) down the trail as they were making a lot of noise to keep the bears at bay. When we came to where the bears were I couldn't help but to try to get a picture. I got a picture of two bears but they both might have been the cubs. They were still a distance from us on the side of the mountain. It was very exciting for me as I have never seen a bear while I was hiking in the Smokies before. Those guys must have thought I was a little deranged to try and get a picture.Ha. Maybe I am little.Ha I'm hiking the AT. Maybe I am a lot. But I was pumped for the rest of the day. YAY. I saw bear!!!The day was clear and warm and I really enjoyed my hike. I met Ridge Runner ¢Carl¢ Greybeard is his trail name I think. He was at Birch Springs campground where I stopped for water and a break. He was doing statistics on how many thru-hikers are making it to the Smokies that started at Springer Mountain. It normally has dropped down significantly at this point due to injuries,weather and/or the hike is just not what people thought it would be. I am glad I was in the count to make it to the Smokies. The days hike got even better as I strolled through carpets of Spring Beauty and Bluets wild flowers. The greenery is beginning sprout through more and more in the mountains. That in itself makes me feel more alive and glad to be a daily witness of its new year birth. Over Doe Knob,Mud Gap (thank you very much for admitting that one ) and then into Ekaneetlee Gap for then last big climb to get to Mollies Ridge. Everyone at the shelter applauded when I arrived. HaHa. I really wasn't sure I would make it and I had expressed that to a few that passed me along the way. I said thank you I deserved that. But surprisingly I felt very good. I do feel I am getting stronger. Sweeet!!I set up my tent behind the shelter a little distance and filtered water and made some potatoes. They had a small fire going as it was getting pretty cool by now and I hung out with them while eating. Some there were Hot Feet,Up and Adam,Captain Caveman,Free and Goat,Spam and others.   There is a city of lights off the mountain on the west side that may be Maryville.I'm glad I am where I am looking down on it. Off to bed early as the wind begins to blow ....