Date: 2009-06-01
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

The Great Smoky Mountains so far are AWSOME it is the first time i feel the AT has some purpose. The trail is just catering to thru hikers in its design it gives stairs and switchbacks up to a ridge that goes past many views. The weather has been amazing too so the eyes can see for miles upon miles and i have been taking many picture. I even broke out the camera tripod to take some picture with me in them and have decided to leave it on there because it makes taking the camera out easier. Without it on there, i have to reach into my breast pocket and maneuver it every witch way to free it. Now it just pulls out easily like a sword or something. Thunderhead and Clingman's Dome both had a beautiful view on the approach to the peak. Once on the peak Thunderhead had no view. Clingman's Dome had the tower thing on it but it was MOBBED with tourist since there was a road to the top. That made the view out the tower sort of awkward since people were buzzing around the rather small area trying to see and take pictures. It quite frankly was too much and destroyed the seclusion of the AT, but the people were friendly and curious asking about my trip. Also there was some guy involved it trailblazer or whiteblaze.com. I do not know the site. He took my picture and is posting it. He is trying to section hike when his life and wife permits his absence. Then, trying to get down off Clingsman's Dome, i was pretty much completely bonked, plus I was low on water so it was a lazy stroll to Newfound Gap where i hitched in Gatlinburg, TENNESSEE. Yeah, I am in another new state. It is a big town for tourists. Like, it has a wax museum, aquaium, ripleys museums, adventure things, theatres, a ton of little shops, a Hard Rock, ski lift up a mountain, ect. One theatre i accidently blundered into(thinking the town is smaller than it is plus unsure where the trolley dropped me) is a vintage comedy sketch show with some of it being along the lines of Monty Python. It looked like a fun show but I had to resupply and get sleep. Besides, i was there 15 minutes before the show started.I continued my walk toward the supermarket which was way too far. A trolley final came and i got on it and barely got off at the supermarket. It was right across the street when i spotted it from the trolley stuck at a red light. I spent way too long looked at food in the supermarket but i guess it was a successful resupply. I added both peanut and string cheese to the list to see how they work for me. The only thing i might have missed is not enough lighter weight snacks. I am looked forward to hiking each day now that there is such an awesome section of mountains to hike. I cannot wait for my body to adjust fully. My shoulders have been a bother. I hope i can start getting proper sleep so that i can energy through the whole day because that has been a problem. I have been cramming snacks down my throat but no energy comes really, poo. I was up until 1 am last night eating a box of frozen Chinese chicken teriyaki from the supermarket. It hit the spot quite well, yum! And I was watching late night shows! Kyle