May 23, 2004 - Nice and easy 14.9 miles today. Got a late start leaving Fontana Village, checkout at 10am, so I stayed as late as possible. Most of my AT friends are staying another night in Fontana but I felt it was time for me to move on and meet new people. Today’s hike wasn’t so bad. The only hard part was after I crossed the dam, then it was 2500 feet change in elevation. Once it leveled off I didn’t have any problems. The Smokey Mountains are different than what I’m used to hiking. In this national park you have to stay at shelters, no camping anywhere else. Also you have to get a permit before you enter the park and be done with the Smokies in 8 days. I’ll be through in 3. Clingman’s Dome is just another day away (highest point on the AT). I’m going to find a better place to sit, so many bugs here.
