Date: 2005-04-28
From: 1 mile beyond Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke early this morning to bright blue skies! We knew we needed to hit the trail early because our tent was staked out into the center of the trail. It was only a matter of time before someone would come along and easily trip on the stake if they were in their zone and not paying close attention. So off we went! We had a fairly simple hike down to Dennis Cove Road. The sun was out, the birds were singing and the trail was kind! Bug and I passed some wonderful grassy meadows and a lovely pond before descending down to Dennis Cove. At the road we turned left and walked to Kincora hostel where we were able to recharge our batteries (both literally and figuratively). A nice gentleman offered us some yummy mint chocolate chip ice cream, which we promptly took him up on. We were finally able to call Mom and Dad, to put their minds at rest about the snow we had weathered down at Cherry Gap Shelter. After about a 3 hour rest and some lunch we were ready to continue hiking; the next two miles of trail that we hiked were amazing! Smooth wide trail that followed beside a shaded stream, rhododendron heavy with buds nearly ready to bloom, and a thick pungent smell of damp soil and pine needles underfoot led the way to a rocky breezeway between mountains. As we travelled this path further and downhill, it opened up to a gorgeous view of Laurel Fork Falls. I guess it is all of those years of family camping trips to Fall Creek Falls that have given me such a love for the beauty of waterfalls. The trail contimued along stream for quite sometime & I thought about Mom as I walked, who years ago told me to be careful and watch my step before I fell and broke something. It was through this section of trail that one side of the trail went straight up a cliff and the other side was rushing water, while you had a space of 16" width on which to hike (I absolutely LOVED it)! I have made a mental note to come back to this place for a weekend trip. Some of the most beautiful tent spots on the trail thus far. Had we not had to make big miles and had it been warmer, I would have insisted we take a shorter day to camp here. Sad to say, this honeymoon didn't last very long....we soon began to climb again. As we climbed, Bug spotted our biggest snake on the trail to date. It was grayish-brown in color, with horizontal patterns on its back, about 2.5' long, and the diameter of a milk cap. It slithered on off the trail to let us pass and again we continued to climb. For the next 3 miles, we had a long and hard climb, with many steep ascents to Pond Flats. Bug kept me going with talk of Sausage Bisquits, hot from McDonald's. We decided we would try to contact Matthew and Rebekah to see if they could meet us at US 421 with them in hand. The last miles of the day were pretty laid back as far as the terrain was concerned, and we ambled on along the perimeter of Watauga Lake. Watauga Lake and Dam exists compliments of the TVA who flooded the valley in the early 20th century. It is the largest earthen dam east of the MS river. We have spent a chilly, wet night here at Watauga Lake shelter with the company of Retro, a fellow northbound hiker. We have been hiking with him for a few days now, and he is one of the nicest and most considerate persons we have met so far. Well, we just finished off some mountainhouse blueberry cheesecake and it wasn't quite as good as I had imagined, but that's ok, it was still tasty and filling. Until next time....