Coach Cable Gap Shelter - Fontana Dam Shelter: 6.6 mi
Professor swears that thieving mice carried off his Platypus (water bag)...
"It's Joe Sullivan"
Winter Wonderland
ATL Dave
Professor
Ice crystals growing off a branch...We woke up and hiked through a winter wonderland this morning. It was a short easy day to Fontana where we met Manager Mike for resupply. When we walked up he was already hanging out with Treebeard, Stormsong, and their friend Moonpie who had brought trail magic in the form of a huge spread of food out the back of her minivan. It didn't take long for them to convince Coach and I to take a "Nero" day and indulge in Moonpie's Trail Magic chili and beer.
A BIG thank you to Manager Mike for this resupply...
People on the Trail
Kentucky GreyBeard- Ridge Runner, believe it or not he is actually from Louisville! But, when he isn't enjoying retired life in the Bluegrass State, he's running the ridges of the Southern Appalachians saving Spring Breakers and scaring bears. I kid you not, one of his duties as "Ridge Runner" is to..."give problem bears a bad experience with humans..."
TreeBeard: "It's me, Joe, Joe Sullivan!" he proclaimed. I learned TreeBeard's real world name. It's on the few real names I've heard while out on the trail. I almost felt embarrased, like I saw something I wasn't supposed to see. A reminder of lives beyond the Trail...
Photos Courtesy of Manager Mike: Fontana Dam 
Arriving at Fontana
Arriving at Fontana
Trail Magic
After a shower
Hiker Dave, Coach, Professor, Stormsong, Treebeard, Moonpie
Professor's Blisters on Left Foot
Coach and Professor laundering
Next Destination- The Great Smoky Mountains and snow!
The blisters look really horrible.
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