Bryson, NC- Fontana Dam

- Mile 166 - Feb 13_th, 2017

Micah and I had parted ways for the time being on a Wednesday. The Great Smoky Mountains would be coming up soon. The Smokies is home to highest point on the AT and some of the highest elevation in general on the trail. I looked at the weather ahead and although I saw that snow would fall, there was a window of Tuesday to Friday of the following week which the Smokies would be great to fair weather. I decided to take some early Zeros (days of no hiking) to be able to hit the Smokies that following Tuesday but also give Micah some time to catch up. The closest town was Bryson, NC. As soon as I got to town my first stop was breakfast! I would later receive my next taste of trail magic as the couple in front of me had picked up my tab. I noticed them leave and shortly after as soon as I was ready to leave and pay my waitress had told me that my breakfast had already been paid for! I was beyond thankful and only wish that I could've thanked them. I stayed at an inn for two nights in Bryson. I spent the next two days checking out different stores and restaurants, doing laundry, and just watching TV. Luckily, they had a brewery in town so I was able to try some more local brew. After two days of refreshing, I was able to get a ride from the local outfitter store in the town and I was back on the trail again after two days of spoiling myself (this would not be the last time coincidentally). My first day back to trail I only hike 9 miles but the hike was heavy on elevation gain and temps were also in the 20s-30s. A couple hours after I get to camp three more hikers soon follow, they are Section Hikers (people that hike only parts of the AT) and are just out for the weekend. A few hours after them, another hiker comes in but this time he is also a thru-hiker like me. His name is Derek and although we have different hiking schedules, this would not be the last time I see him. The following day, he had planned to hike only 6 miles and his girlfriend would pick him up and I had a 15 mile day planned. I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason and that day would just be more of a confirmation of my belief. 6 miles in to my 15 mile plan, I had stopped to take a quick lunch (this would also be the spot Derek would get picked up). As soon as I was leaving, a car pulls up and asks me if I was a thru-hiker and if I needed a ride to town and resupply. I told him that I actually wasn't planning to resupply for 2 more days, however, he told me that place (where I was planning to resupply) is closed until Spring. With this tip, I take him up on his offer. He introduces himself as Steve and he has also hiked the AT just last year. We bond over hiking similarly for a cause. He hiked last year to open up a local Big Brother, Big Sister chapter in his town. As soon as we arrive to town, he drives me around town to show me where places are. He also calls a local motel for me to find out if it was within my budget. The owner, Susan, was coincidentally a fan of him as she was following his adventure, hiking for a cause, on the AT last year. The priced was originally too pricey for me but she gave a Veterans discount and I think it also helped she was a big fan of Steve. We arrive at the motel and Susan is ecstatic to see Steve and just enamored about his hike and what he was doing it for. The best part soon followed after as Steve mentions that I was also doing something similar. She is amazed and her words after, "Well I can't let you pay." I am treated with my third trail magic as she had just given me a free night stay. I was beyond thankful again and even offered to work around the motel (since it was the offseason, there was nothing to do). I spend the rest of day looking for places to eat, walking around town, and resupplying on food for the trail. The next day was Sunday and Steve was planning to take me back to the trail after church. I get a text from Steve asking what's a good time to pick me up and replied with 12:30 PM (which would give me time for one last lunch). As I finish with lunch and start walking back to the motel to wait for Steve, it starts snowing. Just 30 minutes before I get picked up, I get a knock on the door. To my surprise, it was Susan (the owner) and she tells me she can't have me leave in these conditions. I told her that I was prepared for this kind of weather but she offers that I can stay as long as I need to until the weather gets better. I was amazed and take her up on her offer as I would rather be warm than cold. I call Steve and make tentative plans for him to pick me up instead the following day. Luckily, the weather next day was bright and sunny. I leave a hefty tip and a thank you letter to Susan. Steve drops me off where he had picked me up two days and would donate to his cause as a form of thank you for helping me out. My next destination was Fontana Dam, biggest dam on the East Coast and 4th largest in the world. It also has one of the nicest shelters on the trail. The trail was packed with snow but was perfect as it was clear and sunny. I hike 14 miles that day and when I get to the parking lot area, I see a phone for a shuttle to the resort. As the shuttle was only $3 each way, I figured I can eat at the restaurant there instead of Top Ramen for dinner. Like the NOC, Fontana Village (the resort) is a bustling during the Spring to Fall but dead during the winter. Besides the workers, I feel like I was the only other person there. I treat myself to a great meal and beer, while charging up my electronics and utilizing the wifi. I get shuttled back to the shelter (which ended up being free! Saved me $6!). I see that someone was already there but could not tell who it was as it was already dark. As I walk closer, I hear, Babyface?!" It was Derek! Fontana Dam is right at the beginning of the Great Smoky Mountains and Derek and I would end up hiking together for my 6 days there.