Date: 2014-04-02
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 21- Okay, whose plan was it to make up the 3 miles we cut short on our epic Clingman's Dome day? Hmmm, I guess it was mine, because I didn't want to do them on the day we go into Hot Springs. I wanted to maximize our town time. Today was a long, hard day, but we did it. Here are the stats: 17.6 miles (a new longest day), 4900 feet down, and 3600 feet of up! We cruised through the first long downhill, averaging almost 3 mph getting us to Davenport Gap. We then had to take an underpass to get on the other side of I-40. Boy, were the cars and trucks zipping along on that! We then started our long climb out of the gap. I started to get hungry and thirsty which made me cranky and very slow! I finally picked a spot on the trail to eat some lunch which returned me to my usual perky self! The climb ended on top of Snowbird Mountain where the FAA had installed a flight control radar station. It was a beautiful to be up there and we enjoyed the views in all directions. The last 2.5 miles today was downhill to this shelter, where I am pleasantly surprised to have cell service. We hiked out of the Smokies at Davenport Gap so we are no longer required to stay in the shelters. We have set our tent up on a nice spot a bit away from the shelter and look forward to sleeping in it. Our shelter experiences were much better than I anticipated. With my earplugs in, the snorers didn't bother me (too much) and I was never aware of mice running over my sleeping bag at night! We met some wonderful people and shared some memorable times. One young couple we met was Libby and Mark from Minnesota and we spent 2 nights in shelters with them. They were hiking the Smokies for the week of her Spring Break. We enjoyed our conversations about common places we've traveled and we shared a lot of laughs! They were early starters on the trail so we played leap-frog with them for a couple of days. Today their hike ended when they hiked back to their car at Davenport Gap. We wish them safe travels back home. We also appreciate that they carried our trash out for us! On top of Snowbird Mtn. we met a couple of local folks who were out for a day hike. They too offered to carry our trash out for us, which was a generous offer, but one we didn't need to take advantage of. The guy told us (in his thick southern accent) that he and his wife, Connie, were thru-hikers. When I asked further about their hike he said, "Yep, when we get home, we're through hiking!" We all had a good chuckle! WHINING ALERTWe were too hot hiking today, especially on the uphill climb, in the sun! I have been wearing a pair of long underwear under my hiking capris and I had to stop and strip them off. Squirrel changed into his shorts! Can you believe that we are complaining about being too hot after all those days of begging for just 10 more degrees?!A couple of people have asked about our Trail Jeannie. She is Squirrel's younger sister, she lives in Knoxville, TN, and her name is Jeannie! She provided resupply support for her son, Metric, when he hiked the AT 7 or 8 years ago. She is awesome at supporting us and we will be sad when we are out of her driving range! Time for a cup of tea, with raspberries. All is well.