Hello from Fontana Dam, N.C.!
We are in Robbinsville, NC tonight staying with a friend of Tom's and enjoying a sunny day after on very windy, rainy day yesterday. Will start out again tomorrow across the Smokey Mountains.

Here's a map of the trail through the Smokeys.








Before a short rundown of the past few days, let me relate a few other trail experiences. One thing you do a bit of on a long hike is hitchhike. There are so many hikers that hitching is common and locals are most happy to offer rides. One came from a father and his 2 sons who had just finished a Venture Scout prep hike for Yosemite this summer. Another couple gave us a ride out of Helen, a very touristy Georgia Bavarian town (go figure!) going several miles out of their way just because they enjoy giving hikers rides. And then there was the good 'ol boy who picked us up and warned us of the puma in the woods but said he was packin' and knew we were too so he wouldn't worry!

Many hikers have trail names. We've met Jury Duty (got the call for the day he was to start his hike), Analog, Clinker, Why Not, Highlander and Johnny Walker. Tom's name is Silver and I am still looking for one. Hikers also have a variety of footware from sneakers to boots and we've seen one young buck hikeing the trail in bare feet!

Back to a short run down of the last days. The first highlight was crossing the GA /N.C. state line. Small sign, momentus occasion for me! 

The night after leaving Hiawassee was spent at a lovely spot by a creek. From there we took a bypass called the Kimsey Trail which cut off 15 miles (and one day) and was one of the most beautiful places so far. It followed the creek through lush vegetation for 5 miles. There was a ground cover much of the way of tiny white/pink flowers and we began seeing trillium come up. This came out at Standing Mountain campground and then a 1/2 mile road walk put us back on the AT.

                                            

                                                     often photographed tree at Bly Gap

                                                               creek walk on Kimsey Trail

                                            
                                                           Nantahala Outdoor Center

                                                        Fontana Dam

Another good memory will be our stop at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Right by the Nantahala River, kayakers practice for the Olympics here and we enjoyed watching them in the white water doing rolls and flips. This was also a place for a shower and a delicious dinner before hiking on a few miles uphill where we made camp.

Trail magic of bananas...other good things but they are now closing the library...