Date: 2010-04-12
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

OK...another beautiful day! Got up fairly early and made it out of camp by 8:30...yay! Only had about 6 miles into Fontana Dam and then the village (resort) is about another 2 miles, but we should be able to catch a shuttle or hitch. Nice cool morning, but the walk was a bit more uphill than we all expected early...last couple of miles were pretty much downhill. Caught up with Yuri and Nissa just before we reached the Dam...actually found out later it was just the marina for the Dam...about a mile or two short of the Dam. Moose and Tetherball beat us down the trail, but were trying to hitch a ride into the village...they were still standing there when we all jumped into the shuttle ($3). Quick story from last night about those two...funny kids who just got out of college. I actually missed it, but each night you need to hang a bear bag with all your food and stuff. Sometimes there are bear cables already set up for you and sometimes you need to hang one with a rope of your own. Anyway, as I was hanging my bag, they were hanging their in front of the shelter and Yuri and Nissa said it was a good show...sorry I missed it. They made all the mistakes we've all made, but hopefully no one was watching us when we did it...probably was though. First, Tetherball tied a rock to one end of the rope and found a branch to throw it over that was way up there. Only problem...he forgot to grab the other end. Perfect throw, but the rope just kept on going. Anyway, he then got Moose to hold the other end of the rope. Well, she wasn't really paying attention, so another perfect throw, but the rope slipped threw her hands. Third attempt...the rock came out and just went flying into the woods. They did finally get their bag up. Again, I've made all these same mistakes, but it's just funny to hear someone else doing it. Moose also did push-ups before she went to bed...to be young again. Back to our regular programming...   Fontana Village was very nice and hiker friendly. There's not much there but the Lodge, a small convenience store, laundry mat, ice cream parlor, post office, and 2 bars/restaurants...everything a hiker needs. Also, free showers in the game room for thru hikers...much cleaner and hotter than the free showers at the shelter...and water pressure that almost blew me through the wall! John & Just Lisa and Yuri & Nissa were staying at the Lodge...only $60 for a great room. I was still thinking I'd have lunch, get all my chores done, have a shower, have dinner, and then head back to the shelter (shuttle until 8). Went and had lunch and a couple of beers, hit the shower, started my laundry, and did my grocery shopping. In between my shower and laundry, I ran into John & Just Lisa and decided we meet for dinner at 6. On the way back to the laundry, ran into Yuri & Nissa who had just missed me at lunch. We decided to go down to the smaller bar/restaurant and have a few beers and some snacks before dinner and while our clothes dried. At that point, I'd been carrying my pack around with me all afternoon...and the village is very hilly and spread out...probably an extra 4 miles! So, we went and got our laundry and Yuri/Nissa were going to go back to their room and take a nap before dinner. I basically had two hours to kill before dinner with everyone and had all my chores done...and had had a few beers. Long story longer, I hiked my ass back up to the Lodge (again) and purchased a room...no shelter for me tonight! Should have made that decision earlier so I didn't have to lug my pack around the Village all afternoon. Anyway, dinner was changed to 6:30, so I got some good TV watching in. Dinner was excellent...fun evening with Yuri & Nissa, John & Just Lisa, and Troll & Hopper. Watched some more TV when I got back to the room...I miss my TV! Good short day...lots of climbing tomorrow to start the Smokies...similar to the day out of the NOC. Weather looks great for the rest of the week and weekend...should be a great week in the Smokies! Cheers.