April 1 - 5.9 / 169.6

So I finally got out of Fontana Dam Resort, but I was not a happy hiker. My mom had ordered a shin wrap from REI with next day delivery. That was on Tuesday. I waited around the resort today until UPS' scheduled drop off of between 1 and 2 pm. As of 2, the UPS driver had not showed up. It got closer to 3 and the post office was about to close. The finally the guy showed up. I hobbled down and told the post office lady to stay open for a few more minutes. The driver walks in, drops off a package, and leaves. I look at the package and see someone else's name. I ran outside and asked the driver if he had any more. He said he dropped some off at the front desk. The post lady called, and the front desk didn't have my package either. I hobbled back up the hill to the front desk just to check myself. Yep, they didn't have it. I called REI and after 15 minutes if being on hold, the girl told me that they couldn't tell where my package was since it was sent general delivery to a post office. WHAT THE HECK? It is an address like any other address. When the UPS driver drops off stuff then he notes that it is delivered. It shouldn't matter if it is a post office or not.

Even more pissed off now, I decided to get the resort shuttle to take me to the trail. Red Lobster, who I just met today, offered a place in their resort room as they had 5 or 6 hikers spliting it all. I politely turned it down and headed for the trail.

Since I didn't get hiking until about 5:30, I had a pretty short day. I wanted to get 11 miles in, but I just ran out of daylight. I debated on night hiking since the temps would be great and the moon has been very bright the last few nights. However, I don't want to wait until 1 or so in the morning. That day will come though.

Also, the Smokies are a little different than other parts of the trail. You have to tell the ranger what site you are staying at and you have to stay in a shelter if a spot is available. Therefore, today was either 5.9 or 11. If I show up to a shelter and it is full, then I get to stay in a tent. If I am the last person in a shelter and a non-thru hiker arrives, then I have to give up my spot and sent up a tent. I wouldn't mind that as long as it isn't 8 or later.

I did have a highlight today. On top of Shuckstack Mountain is an old fire tower. I climbed to the top and got great views of the Smokies and back over Fontana Lake. I rolled into the campsite a few minutes later. Also here are Mexico, Dopplar, Mule, Skidmark, Menno, Rocky, and a few others.

It is late, so I am off to bed with the leg elevated on my pack. We'll see how long that lasts.

Night friends, BT