Updates from the Trail

Wow - Time Flies on the trail.  I have hiked to Fontana Dam with Bronco and Skywatcher as planned. Returned to Franklin, NC for the bash.  We had the most beautiful weather from the NOC to the dam and finally it is supposed to be a beautiful week in the Smokies.  I am very excited about that as last year we had rain, ice and fog for much of them.  Unfortunately, we had to leave our new friends (Mage, Steve, Bonny Boy) as they continued on into the Smokies while we partied.  I am happy to say that I got to visit with a lot of friends that I have not seen in quite some time - Radar, Cool Breeze, Mother Nature to name a few.  I have missed them greatly and it was great to see them.

Bronco and I returned to Fontana Dam on Sunday and spent the night at the "Hilton".  The Hilton is the shelter for hikers at the dam.  I forgot to take a picture of it.  Sorry - it was full of hikers and there were tents pitched places as well.  I thought the hiker numbers were down from last year and the ridgerunner in the Smokies said it was due to the weather.

I tried to contact the MCC for my job interview but after two hours of trying finally left a message that I was going into the Smokies and would call when I had service.  I began my long journey uphill into the Smokies on a beautiful day and enjoyed every step.  I made it to Spence Field which is the third shelter into the Smokies and farther than I thought I could go.  Day 2 was a beautiful clear day as well,  made it to Double Springs shelter and then after supper, Kate, Gumbo and I decided to go to Clingman's Dome for a little cowboy camping in the tower.  We watched the most beautiful sunset and sunrise every and no one else was there to enjoy it.  There is a lot of storm damage from this past winter there and lots of bushwacking to do.  We saw headlights headed our way we thought in the morning and hurried to get our packs packed as you are not supposed to spend the night there.  Later we found that not only the trail has damage but the road to the Dome is closed due to damage and that the public works trucks start early in the morning.  The climb down from Clingman's Dome included post holing in 4 foot of snow in places, lots of places.  Quite the challenge.

Made it to Icewater Shelter that day and found that the forecast for the following day was rain, lots of it.  The weather man for once was right! It downpoured all day a cold rain all day with lightening and thunder added into the mix.  There was lots of ice and snow to navigate and the rain made the traverse much more challenging.  I and my gear got soaked, there was hardly anything dry at the end of the day.  I got to a leaking shelter and decided to continue on the one of my favorite places in the Smokies, Mt. Cammerer firetower.  No one else was there and I could spread everything out to dry.  Nothing was dry by morning so I took my time and hung pants and shirt out to dry in the morning.  Much to my surprise when I went out to check on them, they had frozen solid!  I had to walk out with them on the outside of my pack sticking straight up, I am sure it was quite a sight.  If I had developed the skill to take self portraits I would have but that is beyond my skill level with a camera.  Someday I will figure it out.    This was a 23 mile day for me.

Visited one of my favorite places, Standing Bear Farm, to dry out and warm up and then two days into Hot Springs where I am today.  I had my phone interview for the MCC job and I am hoping that it goes well.  The only unfortunate thing is that he asked if I would be interested in ChainSaw School which of course I said yes as I think that would be kind of cool but it will mean that I cannot go to Trail Days to see everyone and that will sadden me greatly.  We will see what happens in about a week.

Went to the Doctor's today and I fell and got a great bruise while hiking to Fontana Dam.  It has not healed and it still hurts me to sit.  I was worried about another infection.  They said that it is not infected yet but to keep a close eye on it.  Over all, I am happy to report that I feel great, my body seems to accepted the fact that we are back on the trail and is stepping up to the plate.  A 20 mile day does not sound all that bad.

This afternoon, I am meeting up with Homeless and UnEmployed and I can't wait to see them.  I discovered that my new friends, Doodlebug and Digerydude, know them too!  I love the hiker community.  We may be small but we are mighty.

I expect that I will be in Erwin, TN in another 5 days.  Will write more then.  Oh - and I saw my first snake of the season, not happy about that little slithery thing at all.  Others have seen rattlesnakes, I pray that I do not. 

OH wait I must introduce you to Matilda.  The resident turkey at Double Spring Shelter in the Smokies.  I named her.  Isn't she the cutest thing ever?