Date: 2016-04-06
From: Gatlinburg TN

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Mon Trail Magic provided by Dancer, a 2015 thru hiker. Thank you much, the goodies were great!My stay at the Quality Inn was most enjoyable. The staff, especially GM were most helpful, the room was spacious, balcony over a flowing creek, gas log fireplace, convenient laundry and excellent breakfast. I more than OD'ed on the Belgian waffle, sausage/egg biscuit and Kryspy Kremes. I saw Scavenger and took the 1000 shuttle back to New Found Gap, a bobcat scampered in front of us. Doc, Panda, Road Runner and Outbacb were also on shuttle Had some more trail magic at the gap and then a quick 3 mi, 1000' climb to 1st shelter. I had only 2 quick stops and was feeling great. Just before the shelter I met a group of youngsters who asked me where Clingman'sDome was. I hated to tell them they just hiked 3 miles in the wrong direction. Also had a short section of knife edge hiking, e.g. Narrow ridge line with very sharp drop offs at each side.   Got to the Peck's shelter, watered up, ate and getting ready for bed. Future wx report is supposed to be cold, windy, rain and possibly some snowOn my zero day I was able to write some items for us hikers. And since Berkeley isn't here, then it's going to be all about me, me, me, me. So, here it is:Old age contankerness:   When I was in govt program management, I was pretty much a hard A$$. I like to think that I have mellowed out quite a bit in retirement, but maybe not. After 2 negative experiences at Fontana Village, I left my concerns with a jr dep asst mgr who took copious notes and assured me I would be hearing immediately from the resort mgr. and this was after I was told there was a new concessionaire at the resort that wanted to cater to hikers. No word from said mgr yet. However, I heard about Doc's negative experiences in cabin rental, DG terrible service at another dining and another hiker that waited 1 1/2 hrs for a shuttle ride. So be advised NOBOers about Fontana Village.   Also, I have reason to visit area to visit this area with my granddarlings. I'll consider taking them to Helen or Franklin or even Gatlinburg. But Hell will freeze over before I consider Fontana. And then this am I called the GSMNP Supt or Dep to bark about thru hiker experience. I got a call back from the Exec to discuss 2 concerns. On my negative experiences with the thru hiker permit, the exec offered to fwd me to person responsible for the system. I politely replied that I didn't want to speak to the person responsible for the mess, I wanted to speak to that person's supervisor. She got the message and will send me a response. I may still write them a nasty gram based on the response. On the subject of animals (horses vs dogs) I got a very bureaucratic answer. I told the exec I understood her response but wasn't buying any of it. Later, I was reminded that TN is horse country and the light bulb came on for me.   So, I then planned a relaxing dinner with DG at TX Roadhouse. I order a steak medium rare and the waiter confirmed red center...Yes!   Out it came well done. I pointed it out to waiter, he insisted I cut open thickest piece of steak, no doubt, medium well done at best. He immediately took it back to kitchen. I was starving and really wanted to eat now. But it came back a superior piece of meat and perfectly cooked. GPS - The absolute best job I ever had was that as a booster payload integrator. I had no responsibilities for the rocket ship nor any for the satellite. My job was to make sure that once they were mated, that the booster placed the satellite in the orbit and in the condition that it was operable. And although my role was truly insignificant, I was the payload integrator for the launch of the 1st GPS satellite on a "wheatfield" Atlas rocket at Vandenberg AFB CA. At later date, I was the OOD at LAAFS, which was an assignment for a CGO to serve as the overnight "Base Commander" There was another GPS launch on my night tour and there was conflicting info on 2nd stage performance.   One of the duties that night was to inform the SD Commander (USAF 3 star general) of launch status. Time was passing and I decided to call commander with my report. He was living at Ft MacArthur and had observed the launch from San Pedro and confirmed good 2nd stage performance for me. Later, we had 7 sats in orbit and were testing ops concepts for GPS. During one period, there would be limited capabilty at Ft Mac. We hid a golf ball on the parade ground, gave the general the receiver and told him to find the golf ball. He did!! More later I was in the Pentagon advocating for space systems {Note: Another officer was responsible for GPS}. Space advocacy was a slight challenge at the time as the AF pilots wanted another airplane for what a couple of GPS satellites would cost. Fortunately, the Sec AF was at the time the covert director of the NRO and known as the Space Godfather. Now GPS systems are everywhere. I use the Motion X GPS app on my Iphone and it is better than my Garmin. I am quite successful in finding survey markers at my ranch in W Texas. And here on the trail, I use the app to record my position at the end of each hiking day, very easy and few keystrokes. I ?? GPS!