Sample of Our GORP Mixtures

Watch "Best GORP Recipe" on YouTube
Gorp is a high energy snack that we've found essential on the trail. Its contents are different every time, depending on what we find in the dollar stores or other food locales.
By the time of this resupply, we had been without any gorp for about 5 days (we had to make do with other snacks) so we went alittle crazy!
In this video, Buck gets to rub it in that I could not find peanut butter m & ms (sniff, whimper) to include in my gorp.

Baloo - Smokies' Current RidgeRunner

Another great trail character.......
While we were in the Smoky Mtns, we had the pleasure of sharing a couple nights with Billy Jones, the current area ridge runner. Great company! He thru hiked in 2006 (trailname Baloo, from the Jungle Book), had current info on MANY trail areas and his passion for the great outdoors is evident. He even brings a pruning saw with him to help the volunteers clear the trails. On our last morning in the Smokies we saw a 100 lb bear that was interested in the shelter. Billy shared a pic he got - I was so excited that I forgot how to use my camera. So an extra thanks to Billy for sharing the attached pic. Billy pointed out to all 8 of us (it was a FULL shelter night, complete with three snorers, one with sleep apnea to boot) that the bear had a tag which meant that he had already gotten familiar with human contacts. Hope the bear gets scared before he has to be relocated or worse.
Billy has a myriad of interests and a great sense of humor.
Asked him what was happening with the Olympics and ticked off some inspiring snippets.
Mentioned that some of my kin were from Baxley GA. He mentioned he was there for a race (running) where he had signed in as Hill Billy Jones. Apparently the audience cheered when they called out his name.

First Days in the Smokies

Watch "First Days in the Smokies on the AT" on YouTube

In the Smokies, you almost have to stay in shelters.  Unless the weather is really nasty, we generally prefer to tent. 
Anyway, met some great folks and saw some great sights at our first two shelters in the Smokies. Will post a couple separate photos + stories as well.
 

Official Entry Into The Smokies

Watch "Into the Smoky Mountain Natl. Park" on YouTube
And so begins our longest mileage yet before our next resupply.  

And yes, a firetower got the best of us.

Crossing The Fontana Dam

Watch "Appalachian Trail Crossing the Fontana Dam" on YouTube

This is the largest US dam east of the Mississippi River, built in 3 years. Amazing. 

The attached pics were taken at the dam. Understand that the tree with the fuzzy nut is a chestnut - haven't been able to verify. Beautiful morning.

Eight Day Resupply

Watch "Fontana Dam, North Carolina" on YouTube
It was alittle eerie seeing Miatas everywhere in Fontana Village. Although the two miles between the shelter and the village was a bit steep and curvy, snapped a few pics that day. The weather was warm but clear. The grounds near the dam includes a shelter (called Fontana Hilton) that includes a nearby shower - so wonderful it makes me cry - even though it was off season so alittle dirty. Showering in your crocs -yeah!

Hydrating With A View

We stopped to drink and snack at this spot, past Wayah Bald Shelter.