April 26
Our little trio was stepping out of the shelter area at 6:50 am this morning. We knew we had over 12 miles to cover and the Ranger had told us it was the most challenging section in the Smoky Mountains.
The first miles of the day were deceptively easy. By mid morning, however, the real climbing began. Remember that every steep climb up in elevation is matched somewhere else with a steep decline. For me, the downhills are harder than the climbs.
The good part of it all is the reward waiting at the top! We stopped on the top of Rocky Top and sang the song while we soaked in the view. The sky was perfect and clear and I could see forever. Way off in the distance were the waters of Fontana Dam. It was hard to believe that I had left there just yesterday morning. Another climb put us on Thunderhead Mountain, with its grassy areas and limitless view.
Another highlight of the day for me was the birds. They seemed to sing all around us as we walked throughout day. This morning as we walked in the early light we startled two owls who began calling back and forth to each other. One was very large and was sitting in a tree right before us. After eyeing us for a long time, he swept off through the woods to a more remote perch.
The miles ended with a long pull up to the Derrick Knob Shelter. This was one of the spots I had stayed in in my shake down hike in March. The last time I stayed in this shelter it was 9 degrees with high winds. Tonight we are expecting rain that will continue in some form for the next several days.
I can't wait to see my family and take a day at home. Last night I could see the lights of Maryville from my spot in the mountains. It was really hard to be so close yet so far away and out of touch. I haven't had phone service forever. Just two more days until I'm there.
Our little trio was stepping out of the shelter area at 6:50 am this morning. We knew we had over 12 miles to cover and the Ranger had told us it was the most challenging section in the Smoky Mountains.
The first miles of the day were deceptively easy. By mid morning, however, the real climbing began. Remember that every steep climb up in elevation is matched somewhere else with a steep decline. For me, the downhills are harder than the climbs.
The good part of it all is the reward waiting at the top! We stopped on the top of Rocky Top and sang the song while we soaked in the view. The sky was perfect and clear and I could see forever. Way off in the distance were the waters of Fontana Dam. It was hard to believe that I had left there just yesterday morning. Another climb put us on Thunderhead Mountain, with its grassy areas and limitless view.
Another highlight of the day for me was the birds. They seemed to sing all around us as we walked throughout day. This morning as we walked in the early light we startled two owls who began calling back and forth to each other. One was very large and was sitting in a tree right before us. After eyeing us for a long time, he swept off through the woods to a more remote perch.
The miles ended with a long pull up to the Derrick Knob Shelter. This was one of the spots I had stayed in in my shake down hike in March. The last time I stayed in this shelter it was 9 degrees with high winds. Tonight we are expecting rain that will continue in some form for the next several days.
I can't wait to see my family and take a day at home. Last night I could see the lights of Maryville from my spot in the mountains. It was really hard to be so close yet so far away and out of touch. I haven't had phone service forever. Just two more days until I'm there.
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