Nothing beats the feeling you get when you hike into a gap with road access and you catch a whiff of hot dogs, see a basket of fruit or candy and baked goods, and a happy smiling face standing behind them. Trail angels have peppered the lengths of the trail, bringing trail magic and stories of their AT experiences. Most of them are former thru-hikers or section hikers that have moved back into the area and want to give something back to the trail. A lot of work goes into their magic -- a lot of careful planning to provide for as many hikers as possible. One gentleman, "Quest", drives out almost every day with sodas, bananas and oranges -- offering hikers a ride into Robbinsville, NC to get food and resupply before heading into Smokey Mountain National Park. Another couple set up camp just past the "Fontana Hilton" (a really nice AT Shelter that was given the name due to it's scenic location on the dam, picnic tables and shower house). They offered hot dogs, cold grape soda, brownies and the most delicious homemade pound cake I've ever had in my life (the woman gave me her secret recipe, which I plan to get fat on after the trail).
It is odd that I have come to feel a greater sense of community now more than ever before at a time in my life that I've not slept in the same location more than one night. We meet fellow hikers and are instantly old pals -- commiserating over "that last big climb" or swapping stories about where we were during "that terrible storm".
Six of the twelve most challenging climbs on the Appalachian Trail occur before you reach Fontana Dam, NC. Wheels and I walked into Fontana Dam yesterday morning, so by that measure, we're already halfway done! Since leaving Georgia a week ago, the terrain has become significantly greener and the incline has been sharper. However, it feels like our bodies are getting stronger as we go- so each day has been a manageable challenge.
I am so grateful to be doing this with Wheels - sometimes I get too focused on where we are heading that I hike past the hike. Wheels is so patient with me; he stops to take pictures or convince me to climb up an abandoned tower to see a remarkable view.
Today we enter the Great Smoky Mountain National Park home to Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the trail. It's technically all downhill from there :-)
Until next time, this is Catnip signing out.
Mission time 18:00:04
Before reading this post, I saw the pictures that were posted to Facebook and thought to myself, "such a great trail community there is out there". Glad to hear that there are people out there giving you those little and sometime, much needed pick ups. :) Be safe & have fun!- Sara
ReplyDeleteFrom looking at the map, it looks like you guys will be walking the Smoky Mountain Ridge that separates North Carolina and Tennessee. When you were very young and we lived in Raleigh, we used to drive back to Missouri and Oklahoma to visit family for holidays. We drove Interstate 40 through the Smoky Mountains and it was always the highlight of the trip. You will soon cross that path on foot. What a view!
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