North Carolina

Crossed the Georgia - North Carolina border on 3-31-09 (Day 11). North Carolina has been hard from the get go. Crazy steep ups, and long, wet, slippery downs. I spent 3 nights 4-2 to 4-4-09 in Franklin, NC for the April Fools hiker bash. Ron Haven owns 2 hotels and a hostel in Franklin, and he along with the town put on this event every year for the past 3 or 4 years. He says it gets bigger every year. Good food and live music along with gear booths and a mini tent city ( where i stayed the third night) pretty much completes the picture. I went with some hikers that are from the area on the 4th to a secret spot a little off the trail. It was a nice swimming hole where you could jump off a 20+ foot cliff. What a beautiful day that was... 70 degrees, slight wind, cool water.... perfect.

Day 17 4-6-09
Snow, snow, and more snow. Snowed all day today... about 3 to 4 inches. It was also very windy and biting cold. Sat by the fire for about 2 hours and still couldn't get warm. I will be hiking into the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) tomorrow, and looking forward to a hot shower and clean cloths.

Day 18 4-7-09
What a day!!! Only hiked 6 miles today, but they were some of the hardest!!! The snow covered all the roots and rocks and made for a very slippery hike down hill. Fell down three times and twisted my knee. But I don't feel to bad because 8 out of 10 people also fell and/or hurt themselves in some way today. Watched kayaker's paddle the river in the snow. Thought to myself that they might be a bit crazy, then I remembered what I was doing there and realized I'm just as crazy. I got to stay with 2 other people in a very nice cabin... free of charge... my favorite price!!! I called the cabin Hilton A. It had two rooms, fireplace, full kitchen, deck... the whole works. Took a very long hot shower, did laundry, and just vegged on the couch and watched the boob tube. It feels good to be off my feet.

Day 19 4-8-09
Walked out of the NOC today... all up hill. The wind was so bad yesterday that it made 2-4 foot snow drifts on top of the mountains. It was surreal walking in shorts through these drifts. Camped at Locust Cove Gap where it was crazy windy again and cold. I am longing for a nice spring day to come, but it helps to be around great people that make you laugh. Camped with PyroFly, Captain Caveman, Spring Peepers, Magma Orphan, Jumper Cables, Sparky, Ace Bandage, Cruiser, Turtle and Jazzman. You just got to love everyones trail names!

Day 21 4-10-09
Hiked into Fontana Dam, NC in a thunder and lightning storm!! The morning was nice at first, then came the sprinkles, and in no time the lightning started. At first I thought the bolts were beautiful, then I thought... hey I'm not safe up here with all these bolts hitting around me. Plus I'm carrying aluminum poles.?! After that thought I flew down the mountain in the pouring rain. Made it 3 miles in less than an hour!!! That is flying for me!!! Got to the bottom and saw a Mayfield ice cream truck. PyroFly and I went up to the driver and asked if he had any damaged boxes he wanted to get rid of, and he gave us a box of 6 cones!!! What a treat!!! What a sight!! 4 smelly, soaked hikers standing in the pouring rain on the Appalachian Trail eating ice cream..... Every time I think back on this, all I can do is smile. How can you be so wet and miserable and happy all at the same time?
After the wonderful ice cream we hung out at the Fontana Dam shelter waiting for Captain Cavemans mom to come and deliver some much appreciated trail magic. She came with her class and brought cold cut sandwiches, oranges, cupcakes, pop, cookies, trail mix and more. We were all stuffed and happy. The rain even seemed to stop just for us when the food got there. Later that night after all the laundry was done, and everything was drying out, most of us went to Mr. Pinks cabin and helped make a feast of spaghetti and garlic bread. His parents brought salad, an Easter cake and beer. Everything a thru- hiker craves.

Day 22 4-11-09
Today is the day I begin the Great Smoky Mountains. It is cold, but after an amazing breakfast made by Mr. Pinks mom I am ready to go. Had to stay in a shelter because that is the rules of the Smokys. Mice infested, super crowded, and night noisy from snores and farting.