Date: 2012-05-22
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite by the Pond
Miles today: 8.1

Up at 5:30 and out by 6:30. Had a Snickers bar and a Granola Bar and headed out. I was in Hot Springs in the Smokey Mt. Diner by 7:15. 3.2 miles in an hour and 15 minutes. Wish I could go that fast all the time.   At the Smokey Mt. Diner, sweat soaked and with 3 days of trail grime on me, I ran into Bean having breakfast with Clif Hinds. Bean invited me to eat with them. I mentioned my condition and Bean just laughed and said to have a seat. I ordered the Smokey Mt. Breakfast with 2 eggs, link sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, milk and OJ. 45 minutes later, the edge had been taken off my hunger, but I wasn't full.   I took my leave of Bean and Clif, thanked them for allowing me to join them paid my bill, said good morning to Aaron and Jackie who had just ordered their food and headed off to take care of business.    I stopped by the Dollar store and then went to the Wash Tub, a pay laundry. Put my clothes in the wash, picked up my drop box, a Buff, and Aquamira (they didn't have a filter cartridge for my filter) at Bluff Mountain Outfitters, and returned to the Wash Tub. Aaron, Jackie, Drew, Chris, Doc, and various other thru-hikers were present at the Wash Tub while I was there. After I finished washing my clothes, I walked to the campground and had a shower.   You pay at the small store/restaurant and walk 3/8 of a mile back to the bath houses. The water is warm, not hot, but it felt reallllll good. I knew I wouldn't be clean long, but I relished it as long as I could.    After the shower, I used a picnic table to sort out and pack my food. My pack was at the limit of its weight capacity of 35 lb. I took extra two meals back to the Wash Tub and headed out across the river.   After you cross the bridge, the trail climbs over the rail and follows the the French Broad river for about a mile before turning left up the hill. The French Broad was at the banks, muddy and full of whitewater. It was pleasant, cool, and relaxing in spite of the weight of my pack.   The climb up the cliff was as hard a climb as I have made. My pack was heavy, the path was steep, the trail bed was rocky, and the only thing I had done right, was not to eat before making the climb. I had planned to eat a big lunch before leaving Hot Springs, but darkening skies had lead me to eat a PB&J english muffin and some water.   I had just passed Lover's Leap, when I met Dorito. Dorito was a lady hiker out for a day hike to prepare for a long term AT hike. She was carrying a light pack and was headed toward Lover's Leap before returning to her car.   I continued up the trail that was rising slowly up into the hills. I was tired and took a break. Dorito caught up with me, there. We talked a bit more and then continued up the trail together. When I mentioned that I was planning on stopping at the Pond Campsite before Tanyard Gap, she told me that it was difficult to find and she would show me the way. I followed her to the site, moving quickly, distracted by our conversation. She showed me the side trail to the campsite and headed back to her car. Thank you again, Dorito. I don't know if I would have made it before the rain came, if you hadn't come along.   The campsite already had Squid Billy, Snake Charmer and Megamind. Squid Billy was recovering from a stomach complaint, fishing and enjoying his hammock. Snake Charmer had a bad cough and Megamind seemed to be enjoying the break. He was napping and snoring when I arrived.    I took a site on the Dam side of the campsite overlooking the ravine down to the spillway. Set up my hammock and tarp and went and filtered some water. The last time I used it on the trip as that finished off the cartridge. When I began cooking dinner, the rain started to drizzle. I moved under my tarp to finish my meal. I climbed into my hammock and let the sound of the rain take me off to sleep.