Date: 2014-04-26
From: moreland gap shelter

To: watauga lake shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

When i crawled out of my tent i knew it was going to be a good day. I slept well, it was much warmer, it was clear, the sun was out and i was going to get new food. About 10 people stayed at the shelter last night but everyone tented so it was pretty funny watching all the people go through the routine of packing up before moving on. The first 6 miles were nice, meandering through the woods up over and down little hills and down to Dennis cove rd where we would walk a half mile up the rd to get to the black bear hostle for a resupply. The place was great with a little store, $3 showers, and little cabins if you were going to stay. Along the front of the property was a nice river rolling over and around big rocks. With my feed bag stuffed, my person freshly washed, and a microwaved pulled pork sammich in my belly we went back to the trail after nearly a 90 min break. Back at the trailhead we saw some peeps we knew so a little chat about destinations and the perfect weather. The trail then found its way along that same river to Laurel falls. A fairly high, fairly wide waterfall but with a dangerous whirlpool where a couple people drown so no swimming in the pool! Beautiful falls. It was really a nice change of pace following or even being near a river or any body of water. We followed for a nice mile and a half. Flat land was as exciting as being near the water. Then the trail took a hard right hand turn up the hill. We had only one big hill today and it lasted forever and ever. Never really rediculous steep but constant for three miles and it was hot. I hoped my new sunscreen was working. At the top we ate a late lunch and regained our breath. I was a little bummed that i had just taken a shower before sweating like mad. Oh well, nothing could be done. After the long hill it was just as long going back down the other side to Watauga lake. More water! We did have an interesting wildlife encounter, i saw 2 lizards. One was a scared lizard, the other was not leaving his rock so i managed some good pics. I didnt know they had mtn lizards here, pretty excited. Once down to the lake we hung out there for a bit watching boats and again enjoying the perfect weather. It was absolutely perfect. Originally we had though of trying to get twenty miles but after our many breaks it was decided that we would tent at the shelter a mile and a half down the trail. A nice shelter but with very limited flat ground, actually no flat ground but we are tenting anyway. I like my tent much better than the shelters. With a good dinner of lasagna and fritos down the hatch i filtered water and hung my food bag so the varments couldnt get it. As i was about to crawl into my tent one last bit of excitement, a whiporwill flew thru camp. Then it lit in a nearby tree and sung the song of his people. Ever hear a whiporwill sing? Its a pretty crazy song and very cool at first. Ten minutes later it was agreed that the bird should go sing further down the lake. Now he is singing way off in the distance. A cool end to a very perfect day. Once again im not sure if this crazy adventure is real or not but im loving it either way.