Date: 2015-07-11
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Clingman's Dome / Gatlinburg
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

The hike was such a surprise today! After the climb on our first day and all the rain overnight, we were steeling ourselves for a rough but short day. Instead, the rain held off and we were enveloped in a gorgeous, cool, shifting mist. It was like hiking in the clouds.It kept your body cool as you worked your way up the mountain. And it was so much fun to watch...totally Wuthering Heights.And the SMELL of the evergreens! I couldn't get over it. None of us could. It smelled amazing. Fresh and Christmassy. After getting used to all of the horrible smells of hiking and camping...to be bathed in the scent of evergreens and mist!We hardly noticed the climb because everything was so darn pretty. Bunches of orange tiger lilies, heads bowed. Green, green moss. A landscape that screams "forest moon of Endor."When I started the Smokies, I thought, "This looks like everything else, but with the threat of bears." But once we hit elevation, it all changed. Evergreens! Grassy balds with open views!We were in such great spirits. And soon small groups of lost tourists started appearing, asking us which way the parking lot was. Ha! We couldn't possibly know!We reached Clingman's Dome way faster than we would have thought, hardly feeling the climb at all. We were triumphant!For Optima Prima, She-Who-Does-Not-Wake-Easily, and City Guy, this was the end of their trip. For me, this was my 200 mile mark.We took a victory pic act the base of the tower. It was all socked in with fog , but we didn't care. It looked otherworldly, even more like a UFO.We were the only hikers there and got a lot of looks with our enormous packs, mud-splattered legs, and triumphant dancing. We did it!And then we headed down to the Info Station, preparing to go our separate ways. The trio had to get a ride back to Fontana, where they'd left their car. I was planning on Gatlinburg, where I'd resupply and see all this "slurpy food" that Bill Bryson writes about.They bought me a Smokies sticker with a deer on it, for me to remember our shared deer encounter. :-) they promised to send me a mail drop of Slim Jims. I asked them to text me, to let me know they got home safe. And as we talked with the rangers about how we'd get to our destination, a pair of people behind me said, "we're going to Gatlinburg!"Enter Trail Angels Adam Derosa and Sue! Adam is , of course, from Florida. This trip has proven once and for all that Floridians are the finest people you'll ever meet.I quickly hugged my hiking mates goodbye, then Sue, Adam, and I were off to Gatlinburg. They were on a vacation and had just been to Dollywood. Adam is currently dissertating, so we had lots to talk about! It was so pleasant.They dropped me off at a hotel in Gatlinburg and we took a selfie in the parking lot. Thanks for being so awesome, Sue and Adam!A few words on Gatlinburg. When I asked where the nearest laundromat was, a cashier said, "not within walking distance." I almost started laughing. I just cleared 200 miles of walking. My conception of "walking distance" is pretty darn broad. Anyway, I walked to Super Suds Coin a Laundry, which was 3.5 miles away. And even though I wasn't carrying my pack, I'm going to give myself credit for those miles today. :-). (Took the trolley on the way back)Gatlinburg: Wedding chapels, mini golf , vape parlors, henna tattoos. A Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers. Zombie Zipline .I cleaned clothes, called my folks, ate food, bought food. Tomorrow, back into the lovely Smokies. I will miss you , Kirsten, Tori, and Ryan!