Date: 2005-04-10
From: Shelter, Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Hotel, Gatlinburg TN
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The theme for today was up. Up followed small flat followed by up. Followed by straight up. Repeat that sequence for 10 miles and throw in 3 downs. Oh, was that some kind of fun. Lynn Ladyhawk and I did all of those ups in 6 hours. I must say I also really appreciated that neither of the 2 water sources I was counting on in the morning were marked. Nothing like thirst combined with little water to make a day just peachy. Ok, whining aside, this was a pretty good day. We reached Clingman's Dome. It is the highest mountain on the entire trail. That would make it one of those major milestones. Today was the first day that we really saw any pine trees. I almost felt like I was back home in Washington. The pines and the moss. The coolness and stillness. The scents. There was a stretch after one of the shelters where it was relatively flattish. Ladyhawk and I couldn't go fast. It was too nice. She said if I thought we could have fairies peeking out from the trees a few days ago, she thought this spot could probably sustain a unicorn or two. I had to agree with her. It really was impossible to go through that area quickly. At one point we came a spot where the scent from some sweet grass combined with the pine tree scent. It was just so yummy. I love my troll but I would certainly turn my head to look at any guy who smelled that good. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that happening on the trail. Today we all had hiking partners. Troll hiked and talked with Silent Bob. Silent Bob actually sweats more than Troll. Troll disputed this claim until he realized the wetness on Silent Bob's shoes was sweat working its way from the inside out. Oblivious hiked with a young 21 yr old cyborg named Hard Core Hiker. She says she is not fast but we met her after she hiked a 30-mile day, which had been preceded by an 18-mile day. She did in 2 days with a 50-pound plus pack what took us a week to do. Oblivious liked her pace. For once he got to go at the speed that he would always like to go at. I, of course hiked with Ladyhawk at my panting gasping speed. We decided to resupply here in Gatlinburg and get some food. Clingman's is quite a tourist attraction with its observation tower and the views from there. On our way down to the parking lot where we were going to hitchhike, I passed a guy and said "I know you, we were stationed together in Spain¢ It was Bill Foster, who is now also retired from the Navy and has re-located to Knoxville. What a wild coincidence. He and his mother had come out to see clingman's. Later as we were hitching, they stopped for us. Lynn, Oblivious and I got a ride with them. Troll and Silent Bob got a ride with another couple. Gatlinburg has been OK to us. We got food for our packs and food for our bellies (yum - Shoney's all you can eat - yum). The outfitter closed at 5 and won't open until 10 so silent bob will need them to forward his food package. And they are out of fuel. Bummer. Tomorrow we will catch a hitch back to Clingman's and continue from there. I see downhill¢s in our future. Take care and we will see you on the trail.