I’m taking a break at the Spence Field Shelter with the six seniors from Wisconsin who have lost their adult. He was still at the last shelter waiting for the last one, and she just walked in here and said she didn’t stop there. These students are on a "field trip" for a week as a reward for taking a certain number of advanced science classes. Sounds like a neat program. Mr. Adult just walked in and was glad all his kids were here.

These shelters are three-sided with a chain-link fence across the front. Then there are huge pulleys rigged nearby to hang food bags on. Which is good for me. Baltimore Jack says the way I hang mine just entertains the bears. They look at mine, he says, and say, "Oh look! A piñata! There were signs at the last two shelters that said, "Danger – Active bears."

I have two gripes. First the "toilet area" at the shelter last night was just nasty. No privy, and people had not buried their t.p. What’s the matter with people? Second, they allow horses on this trail, but not mountain bikes. The section of trail today has big gouges all in it from the horses – not to mention the horse poop on the middle of the trail. Just my own opinion, but the damage from the horses seems more severe than it would be from bikes. The park service has even put hitching posts at the shelters for the horses.

I took off my wet shirt and put on dry socks, but I’m still a little chilly sitting here. Well, time to eat some lunch.

The "gang" has all come rolling in. We’re staying here tonight in the shelter. My first night in a shelter! Farmer Bob is on the other side of me, and I’ve asked him to please fend the mice off me. There’s a family with two little girls in the shelter, too. Eggman left his spoon at a shelter and actually went back to get it. Must be a special spoon! It’s good to all be here together out of the cold and wet. Topher has decided to stick with Sugar Daddy. And yes, this system works. His mother was in a car accident, and they were able to get a message to him at Fontana Dam ("they" being the ATC). Here we sit like birds in the wilderness. Sleeping bags are out and some of us are in them, talking about dinner. Sugar Daddy just gave me some chocolate peanut butter. Yummy! Gotta get some of that!

We’ve had such a nice afternoon and evening here. While we were cooking dinner outside, a deer walked right through camp. Don’t know if I’m ready for the mice and snoring in the shelter, but here I am. We had a few latecomers – section hikers – come later. The family here has built a fire and have been reading Lord of the Rings to their girls. It’s been nice to hear them giggle. They’re 7 and 9. I have my hiking poles right next to me to flick the "mousies" off. We act like we’ve all known each other forever. Strangers who come across us are surprised when they find out we’re all solo hikers just having a good time together.

Back to NC & TN Journals Index