Date: 2003-04-07
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Birch Springs Campsite
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

These were the best of times. These were the worst of times. That would describe the past two days. On Sunday our favorite trail angels, Kathy and Anne,invited us to come to their house for the day and to spend the night as well. They picked us up at the Franklin Motel around 1:00 p.m.,and off we went to their beautiful mountainside home. We sat on the screened porch and watched as squirrels and wild turkeys came to the feeding spot to eat and also saw bright yellow finches and other pretty birds. Later, we saw deer. An afternoon snack of freshly made salsa, chips and beer was just a prelude to the wonderful dinner of spaghetti, salad rolls,and angel-food cake. This was the BEST of times,and we thank them with all our hearts for their friendship and hospitality. On Monday morning they cooked eggs, bacon,and cheese grits as a great send-off.After the two of us talked it over, we decided to go ahead and get back on the trail today {Monday}. Because of 2/3's bronchitis and ear infection, we have lost 5 hiking days in addition to the previous zero days due to rain and snow. Although we hated to do it, we decided to skip the section from Winding Stair Gap to Fontana Dam for now, and then make it up on our way home. It is much better to skip now than to get way up North and have to skip in order to get to Katahdin before it closes. We have no intentions of missing hiking any part of the trail, but sometimes the plan has to be adjusted when illness or other factors   change the plan.   The hike out of Fontana Dam was the WORST of times! After being off the trail for five days {and 2/3 not fully recovered},we had a tough start. Anne drove us to Fontana Dam after breakfast, and we got started around noon. The mountain ascends 2300 feet with few level areas or downs. We stopped numerous times to discuss turning back, but decided to keep going, with 2/3 stopping every 10-15 feet to catch her breath. We hope we never have to climb Shuckstack Mtn again! 3/3 said it was just as bad as he had remembered it was. It started to rain at the end of the day, but luckily, it was light and didn't last too long   We just missed seeing Christine by a couple of hours. Apparently, she and her hiking friends took a couple of down days in Fontana Dam,and then headed out early this morning. Well, this was all pretty wordy, but it's been quite aThese were the best of times. These were the worst of times. That would describe the past two days. On Sunday our favorite trail angels, Kathy and Anne, invited us to come to their house for the day and to spend the night as well. They picked us up at the Franklin Motel around 1:00 p.m.and off we went to their beautiful mountainside home. We sat on the screen porch and watched as squirrels and wild turkeys came to the feeding spot to eat and also saw bright yellow finches and other pretty birds.Later, we saw deers. An afternoon snack of freshly made salsa, chips and beer was just a prelude to the wonderful dinner of spaghetti, salad rolls and angelfood cake. This was the BEST of times and we thank them with all our heart for their friendship and hospitality. On Monday morning they cooked eggs, bacon and cheese grits as a great sendoff.After the two of us talked it over, we decided to go ahead and get back on the trail today {Monday}. Because of 2/3's bronchitis and ear infection, we have lost 5 hiking days in addition to the previous zero days due to rain and snow. Although we hated to do it, we decided to skip the section from Winding Stair Gap to Fontana Dam for now and then make it up on our way home. It is much better to skip now than to get way up north and have to skip in order to get to Katahdin before it closes. We have no intentions to miss hiking any part of the trail, but sometimes the plan hasto be adjusted when illness or other factors change the plan.The hike out of Fontana Dam was the WORST of times! After being off the trail for five days {and 2/3 not fully recovered}, it was a tough start. Anne drove us to Fontana Dam after breakfast and we got started around noon. The mountain ascends 2300 feet with few level areas or downs. We stopped numerous times to discuss turning back, but decided to keep going, with 2/3 stopping every 10-15 feet to catch her breath. We hope we never have to climb Shuckstack Mtn again! 3/3 said it was just as bad as he had remembered it was. It started to rain at the end of the day, but luckilu, it was light and didn't last too long. We just missed seeing Christine by a couple of hours. Apparently, she and her hiking friends took a couple of down days in Fontana Dam, then headed out early this morning. Well, this was al pretty wordy, but it's been quite a couple of memorable days! See you up the trail 2/3 and 3/3couple of memorable days! See you up the trail 2/3 and 3/3