That being said, we are now through the Smokies! Our honorable c/o 2003 VP Andy Frizzell took us in for the night after we decided to take a zero due to the rain (which quickly escalates into snow at 5000 feet). After getting a ticket in Gatlinburg (probably the only person in America to get a ticket without actually owning a car), spending New Years with the Burgesses, and pushing my luck with Bret by getting us lost, we arrived at Andy and Ashley's! So great to catch up with old friends! And so touched that they would take us in.
He took us back to the trail, and we trudged the last 40 miles through the Smokies on mostly solid sheets of ice and (thankfully) less snow. Combined, we only fell flat on our butts 3 times..not bad considering everyone else had fancy chains and yaktraks to keep them from slipping!
We got to Fontana Dam after a LONG 24 mile day. We were exhausted so the next 2 days were somewhat laid back (11 miles and 15 miles) and we got to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. One of Tonys twitter followers found us wandering around and dehydrated so he took us to "town" and we stayed at the Relax Inn complete with an outdoor washing machine with a dryer located in the main office. (Don't ask)
Today we made the HUGE climb out of the NOC and Amanda met us at the end of the 27 mile day after hiking into Siler Bald. She got to see a WILD HOG and said she was terrified and had no idea what to do. She "took of running and looked at him and then stood completely still." Please google wild hog and look at the grotesque images. They are hideous!
After eating a large and medium pizza we are now at the Microtel and very warm and happy!
We have 109 miles to go! We saw our first Northbounders today too! Which means they have done 109 miles of 2184. I do not envy them one bit.
