4/2/03
Entered the Great Smoky Mountains today. Six days of beautiful hiking. Weather is supposed to be great. Hiked 12.5 uphill miles to Mollie Creek Shelter. All of the shelters in the Smokies have chain linked fencing across it to deter bears. You not allowed to camp away from the shelters. If your caught, they will kick you out. Looking forward to the hike.

4/3/03
What a wonderful place – heavenly. Bumped into “Recycle” again and hiked the day with him. (Pictures are of us.) Second day in the Smokies hiked 12 miles today. The open areas you see in the pictures are called balds – thought to exist because of grazing during Colonial times. Recently, scientists have discovered that they are more ancient than that. Bones of prehistoric tapir and mastadons have been discovered on these balds. “Recycle” is 68 and in amazing shape. He will definitely get to Maine – great man.

4/4/03
Hiked Clingman’s Dome today – the highest point on the Trail. Tomorrow I’ll venture into Gatlinburg for some food. Enjoying a nice pace hiking with “Recycle”.

4/7/03
Hiked with “Recycle” for the last few days. Tomorrow we hike out of the Smokies. The last few days have been rainy. Catch a meal at Davenport Gap (Mountain Moma’s) and then 30 miles to Hot Springs, where we time perfectly a Thru-Hiker festival. Three days of food, beer and use of the town’s famous hot springs, which will be great for the sore muscles.

For more information on this portion of the trail, visit the: Smoky Mountains Hiking Club (www.esper.com/smhc)