Day 4 and car camping in the Smokies

This morning we all woke up early and in good spirits. In fact, Pyro was so happy, she was skipping around so I called her Happy Feet the rest of the day. Today was our last day on the trail and our reward was a fat juicy burger at the NOC! After breakfast, we hit the trail at 8am. We finished up the Bear Creek Trail and hopped onto the Lakeshore trail and headed towards my car. There were a couple of small climbs on the Lakeshore trail, but nothing to crazy. We could tell we were getting closer to civilization b/c we were running into groups of very clean looking people in full make up and hair. haha! We came upon a group that was out with a guide. They were on their way to a campsite along the creek to have lunch. Well, they had stopped for a snack break and were really interested in our packs and where we came from. Hemlock and I happily answered their questions, until the rest of the group showed up. Later on, Pyro told me all she could do was stare at the cooler of fresh grapes they had. hahaha! Those grapes would of been so good too. Hemlock and I agreed to hike to the car as a group, so we asked either Turtle or Pyro/Happy Feet to lead us on. It was nice to just pace ourselves and talk to one another. I get in such a focused mood when it comes to hiking, that somethings I forget that every trail doesn't have to be a work out. I could take it slow and try to really enjoy the surroundings.

When we turned another bend, we must of scared this poor woman to death. She was sported out in some clean white sneakers, full hair and make-up and dripping in diamonds. I said hello and flashed her a smile. She asked if we were backpacking and where we came from. When we told her, she said, "that's far isn't it?" We laughed and someone said it was 3 days away far. We kept plotting along until we finally got to the end of the trail and to the 1/4 mile tunnel. All you could see is this tiny hole of light on the other end. We entered into the darkness and I yelled hello, just to hear my echo. It was so cool! After I got the other side, I ran up ahead to get some good photos of everyone coming out. Then, that was it. We had finished up our 4 day backpack trip into the smokies. I opened up my car and we all piled in, stuffing the backpacks and boots in the back of my car, and we zoomed down to the NOC, the Nantahala Outdoor Center for lunch.

The drive was about 30 minutes long, and when we got out the car, we could feel our bodies stiffing up from all the hiking we did. I stretched as we walked over the pedestrian bridge to Rivers Edge restaurant. Like most girls do, we headed straight for the bathrooms and washed up. I tried to finger comb thru my 4 day neglected head of hair. But it's not happening. I just threw it back into the ponytail and shoved my ball cap further down my head. No helping my hair today. The waitress comes to take our order and we all get burgers while Hemlock gets a crab cake sammie. After a yummy (and quiet) lunch, we head over to the outfitter and duck in for a quick second. It's absolutely freezing cold in there so we head back to the car, just as the sky starts to open up on us. It's time to get back to Fontana Dam, and to every ones car. When we get there, we say goodbyes and hug. I'm a bit sad that our trip is ending. I really did have a nice time. One by one, the girls pull out the parking lot and leave SHOE and I behind.

When everyone is gone, SHOE asks if I want to check out the Fontana Hilton. The famous AT shelter that I've always read about. HELL YA I wanna see the Hilton! So we drive over to the overlook, park the car and hike down some stairs and a road to reach the shelter. It is probably the cleanest, most pristine looking shelter I have ever seen. It's a double story, double entry way shelter with a perfect fire pit and view of the lake. It's really nice. I snap photos, relax, and read the registry for a bit before we head back to the car.

SHOE and I finally make our way back to Cherokee and decide to check into a hotel, air out our gear, get really clean, and do some laundry. The Hampton Inn fits the bill. We showered, cleaned up, then headed out for a celebratory dinner. We chose an Italian restaurant in Bryson City and ordered waaay to much food. hahaha! and I had two glasses of Chianti with my meal. Oops... haha! We ordered a bruschetta, then we both ordered an entree that came out with a huge side of pasta on the side. After stuffing ourselves silly, we waddled back to the car and back to the Hampton Inn to do some laundry. Around 9pm, we were all done and I think I passed out, cause the next thing I knew it was morning. We got up to grab the complimentary hot breakfast, then packed up our packs, and headed over to Smokemont Campground where we were meeting up with 8 other dames for 3 days of car camping and day hiking in the Smokies!

When we checked in with the ranger at the campground, we were told that someone has already shown up. So we drove out to the group site and I get to meet Cathy, who was there setting up her tent. We exchange hellos and I start putting up my hammock while SHOE set up her HUGE tent. Just as we were about to leave, Jiffy Pop pulls up. I introduce myself and we chit chat a bit before we leave to go into town for some supplies. SHOE and I do some grocery shopping and buy some tarps to go over the campsite. When we got back, we set up the two tarps tents just in time for the rain to pour down on us. After the rain, we venture out Jiffy Pop starts to make a fire. I finally pull out the giant marshmallows I found at a local Mexican grocery store and we all giggle at how enormous they are. I mean they are the size of a man's fist. After chit chatting a bit, we call it a night and head back to our little homes.

The next day, Pyro and Janet show up around 8am. After they set up, and we have breakfast and decide to go on a 4 mile day hike. We hike up the Bradley Fork Trail then walk up the Chasteen Creek Trail to a spur trail that overlooks a water fall. The trail was so muddy and slippery it was like an obstacle course just trying to walk up it. hhaa! On the way back, a few of us decide to push it a bit more and add another 4 miles to the hike. We all walk up the Bradley Fork Trail to the intersection of the Smokemont Loop trail. While Pyro, Janet, Cathy, Jiffy Pop and I head over the bridge onto the trail, SHOE decides to head back to camp and take a nap. So we say good byes and go our separate ways. We start out pretty nice and flat, then it starts climbing up for a couple of miles. We climb 1,200 feet in two miles and then at the top decide to take a break and eat a snack. While we are at the top, we run into another group, hiking the same loop, but the opposite way, we tell them it's all down hill from here, and they say the same thing for us. After our break, we head down and of course the sky opens up and it begins to pour down on us. We slip into our rain gear and continue on. By the time we get back to the campground, the rain has stopped and the sun is out. When we get back to camp, Sherpa, and three other Trail Dames have showed up and are putting up their tents. We run into town for quick dinner supplies with a stop at the visitors center to buy some maps and trail books on the Smokies and when we get back there is only one lone dame around. We ask what happened to the other Dames, seems as if there was a crazy thunder storm with lightening that scared the other ladies away and they hightailed it to a hotel room for the night. Well, the worst has passed cause the sun peeked out and we had nice weather the rest of the night. Pyro and Jiffy Pop were actually able to make a fire with all the wet wood. The rest of us got dinner put together and boy did we feast! We made steak kabobs, baked potatoes that we let get hot in the coals of the fire, corn and black bean relish that Janet made (so good too) and how can I forget the appetizers that SHOE made from ritz crackers, sharp white cheese, and apricot and blackberry preserves. Tasty! Just when I felt like I would explode from all the food we ate, we broke out the giant marshmallows and had a proper s'more. Oh man.... I thought I'd pop a hammock strap if I tried to lay in there after dinner, so a few of us actually played around with a frisbee that Pyro and Janet brought. When the sun went down, we all gathered around the fire and just chatted most of the night away. We finally went to bed late.

The next morning, I had my mom on my mind. She was sitting at my house so I felt I needed to get back, but at the same time, I was conflicted, cause I wanted to stay and hike around some more with the Dames. But, after a quick chat with Cathy, she convinced me that I needed to be at home with my mom. Call me a big baby, but I wanted to be with my mama. So that morning, with a heavy heart, I said good bye to the Dames, packed up my hammock, and headed home.

Over all it was a great weekend. I got in some good backpacking, hung out with fellow outdoors women who GET the outdoors and aren't afraid of a little dirt and sweat. Sometimes I think I live in such different worlds. But that's the beauty of going into the woods. You get to leave all the bullshit at home and just BE. Just be easy, natural, simple, calm, freeing, void of all responsibilities that the real world demands. I learned that Hemlock can really educate me about the outdoors and challenge me as a hiker. I learned that Pyro is a great fire starter and can make soggy pieces of wood blaze up "White Man Fire" style (inside joke.) I learned that Turtle is an amazing person and I remember why I love hiking with her. She is always so positive. I learned that SHOE and I's friendship is alot stronger because of what we went through and I feel like we "get" each other alot more. (SHOE, your my hiking soul mate! haha!) I learned that viewing the outdoors through brand new Dame's eyes can be such a reality check. Jiffy and Cathy reminded me of how far I had come, and how much I can teach. Not saying I know it all, cause lord knows I have a lot to learn. But their innocence and enthusiasm for the outdoors re-ignited my love of the outdoors. All in all I had a good time, Oh, and I found out I can get a free 100 mile pin from the GSMNP visitors center by showing them my trail log book! To date, I have 113 miles logged in. Whoo hoo! Next pin is at the 250 mark. So you know I'll have some more adventures in the Smokies soon. Til next time... GET OUTDOORS!!!