Date: 2006-04-16
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It's Easter Sunday and normally I would have spent the day going to church, then spending the afternoon at my grandmothers eating lunch with my extended family. Although this year was different, we did have some chocolate Easter Bunnies to eat thanks to my mom and Larry's mom for sending them in our food boxes. We left Fontana Dam this morning, just to hike straight into the Smoky Mountains National Park. After getting our park pass permits, we began a 4 mile hike straight up before we hit the top of the ridgeline. Our main group today is Baro, Gringo, Shasta, H-Bomb, Donkey Love, River Weasel, Silverfoot, and Salt. Donkey Love and River Weasel seem to be the fastest hikers of this group, but the rest of us hike around the same pace and eventually catch up with them at night. It was a perfect Easter, spring day here in the Smokies, even with a short pop-up rain shower that was just enough to cool us off. Our walk today went through areas of green grass that was beginning to thicken, tiny white and blue wildflowers that covered the ground which almost looked like snow, and branches that were starting to bud. The National Park trails are somewhat easier, yet still long, than most of the trails we have hiked thus far. We mostly walked along the ridgeline today where we had plenty of opportunities for beautiful overlooks and views of all the mountains around. We hiked 16 miles today and made it to the third shelter of the park. Normally we like to camp out in our tents, but there are some different rules to follow while we're here in the Smokies. We must sleep in a shelter, unless it is completely full- then it is ok to camp. I must admit, that I am a little anxious about sleeping in the shelter tonight. The shelters are nothing but wooden buildings with 3 sides and a roof that have wooden bunks for you to throw your sleeping pad and bag on top of. We've always heard about how mice and rats love to hang around the shelters due to the amount of food that is cooked around them and the crumbs that might have been left behind. I guess I will find out tonight just how bad the mice might be. I would rather sleep in my tent, but I must follow the rules on this one. Thanks to Shasta and H-Bomb we made Smores over our campfire tonight, just before going to bed. They carried enough marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for all of us to enjoy tonight. It was awesome! Thanks Girls! We owe you! Thank you God for this group and for the individuals you have specifically placed here together. I am excited about your plans for us as we hike through the Smokies this week. Open my eyes to what you want me to see and my ears so that I may hear your voice during my hike. Allow us to have the confidence in trusting each other as we have formed a special little family and are making memories and bonds that will unite us together from this point forward. Use me in every opportunity that you see fitting to make a positive impact in this group. May You be recognized out here as the ultimate Creator and move in all of our hearts and minds. Guard my heart- attune me only to You- show me opportunities. Thank you for this opportunity of a lifetime and may I never take one minute for granted.