Date: 2006-03-25
To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Guest writer here: DeJaVue   Friday 03-24-06 Well I got sent to Nashville for two weeks of training, but had the weekend off, so I thought I would try and hook up with Goliath in the area of NOC.   Friday I rented a car and drove 4 1/2 hours to get to NOC,, I got there just after Midnight and the office for the motel at NOC was closed, so like all good ex-thru hikers,, I did the next best thing and crashed in my car.   Saturday 03-25-06 I woke at about 6:00 AM to a light cover of snow on the car.   Drove up to Bryson City and picked up some items at Ingles. Apple and Orange Juices,, bananas, oranges, and of course some Krispy Kream Donuts. I did pick up some soda and beer, but not much, as I only had a travel bag, no backpack. I got back to NOC and started to hike south to meet up with Goliath.         There was a light snow falling as I hit the trail at 07:45 AM.   I did not see anyone on the way up to the Rufus Morgan shelter, but did see footprints in the snow, going down. They were about size 11, so I knew it was not Goliath's, he has those size 14, that can double as a canoe.   At the Morgan shelter I put 3 beers and 3 soda's in the small stream next to the shelter, and continued on. This was mostly an uphill hike and I am one who likes the ups. About an hour later I saw an couple hiking towards me.   I asked if they were the ones who had ordered breakfast. The woman answered that they were the ones, then got a shy look on her face and said, "Well actually we are not."   I asked her then, you mean I carried all this juice, fruit and donuts up here for nothing then?   They were happy to lighten my load.   I told them who I was looking for, as they enjoyed the goodies, they told me they had spent the night with him at the shelter and had just passed him a few minutes ago, as he was taking a break and working on something.   I few minutes later he came into sight.   He seemed in good shape and sprits. I gave him the bottle of Chocolate Milk that I had gotten and that put an even bigger smile on his face. He said it was the first Chocolate milk he had since leaving home.    He said he was originally only going to go to Cold Spring Shelter last night, but when he got there the wind was blowing right into it, and did not seem that inviting so he hiked on to Wesser Bald Shelter 4.9 miles further.   He had stayed with a group at this shelter, but did not know how far behind him they were.   We started to hike down to NOC, we met a couple hiking south in this section and they were glad to take a few donuts and juice off our hands.   We stopped back at Morgan Shelter to drop off the rest of the Trail Magic. We left oranges, bananas, and juices in a bag for the others.   Goliath made a little sign w/arrow, at the trail pointing to the shelter and said Trail Magic.    We got to NOC and dropped off Goliath's pack at the car. Went over to the restaurant and had lunch, as it was now just after 11:00 A.M.   We both got the Rubin sandwich and a chicken and spinach wraps.   Stopped in the outfitter and picked up some items, then off we went.   We drove up to Fontana Dam and got a room at the Fontana Village Resort. We got to the room and Goliath headed straight for the shower.   I gathered up the dirty clothes and headed to the laundry. I met Dave there who was doing his daughters, Holly, laundry.   His wife Tracy was going to hike with her thru the Smokey's. We laughed how it was the dads doing the laundry.   As I was leaving, I got to met both Holly and Tracy.      When I got back to the room, I found that Goliath was ready to go. We packed up what we had for trail magic and headed to the "Fontana Hilton" I still had a dozen cokes left and 9 of the 12 pack of adult beverages, oranges, bananas and a box of Krispy Kream Donuts.   I must of looked a bit odd as I approached the group at the shelter.   I had a police sweatshirt on and carrying an overnight bag. I told them I had a problem and asked if they could help me.   I then opened the bag up to reveal the donuts, and the stampede began. I gave one the keys to the car and said if anyone wanted an adult beverage and were of age they could help themselves.   They only took what they needed, and left two for me.   We chatted for a bit, and even recognized Lone Wolf, from up in Mt. Rogers Va area from my 2003 hike.   We left there and went back to the room for a minute then off to Ingles in Bryson City. We picked up just enough food to get Goliath into Fontana Dam from NOC. We then went to Western Sizzler for dinner.   I don't know who got more pleasure out of it, me watching, or Goliath eating his 20. oz steak. Either way, it was a good night. Headed back to our room after this and soon I was asleep as Goliath stayed up to watch some TV. Forgot there is not cable in shelters LOL.   Sunday,   up at 06:00 A.M. had breakfast squares in the room, and then off to Stecoah Gap. It was cold and windy, but sky forecast a bright day. I dropped off Goliath and headed back into Bryson City, I had seen a Subway Sandwich Shop there the day before and figured it would be a good lunch for Goliath.   I had to wait until 8:00 A.M. when it opened and then drove up to NOC and parked. I met "Free at Last" in the outfitter and he headed out before me. I picked up some more Super Glide for Goliath, looked around and then started N/B on the trail and soon came up behind "Free at Last"   I started him a bit as I mentioned how nice a day it was, he said he had not heard me coming up behind him, I do walk softly.      Just after Wright Gap I passed a group of three, two women and one man, it had warmed up so much that the women had their sport tops on, but we had just began the climb up. I got to meet Mud Flap and Daisy, they thanked me for the trail magic from the day before, and then offered me some trail magic. Daisy had a large bag of chocolate chip cookie bars that had been mailed to them at the NOC. I took one and hiked on. I soon was in the higher elevation and soon was hiking in snow. I got to the overlook, great view back at NOC and had just started to hike on when I ran into Goliath. He had stopped at Sassafras Shelter and talked to some friends there. They told him that they had gotten about 4 inches of snow overnight. I told him I had a Subway Sub for him, but he said he was not that hungry, he did enjoy an apple tho.   As we hiked down to the NOC we came across Mud Flap and Daisy.   They gave Goliath and me both a cookie bar, and I told them, it would only be fair for them to have some magic in return and, and handed them a Coors Lite and a Coke.   We made great time getting down to the car, think we were there about 12:30 P.M..    I drove back to Stecoah Gap to drop off Goliath. He packed the Subway Sub and said it would be his dinner. We said our goodbyes and off he went. He was headed to Brown Fork Gap Shelter for the night.   It was nice to see Goliath doing so well and enjoying all that the trail had to offer. Good Luck Class of 2006