Appalachian Trail: Day 22
Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. All the gear mentioned in this post was purchased by me at retail prices. I have no affiliations with any of the companies or brands mentioned.
Had a decent morning with Rock Dancer and left him behind to hike on. Met Breezey on the way, but he soon left me behind. Step Lightly caught up with me while I was taking a rest at Cable Gap Shelter. We leapfrogged a bit and we we got closer to Fontana Dam, Kevin with Mr Perfect and the Brits caught up. We all ended up hiking into Fontana Dam together. I also crossed paths with the couple from the bald going the opposite direction.
I hopped the shuttle from the marina to ride into Fontana Village for resupply. Ran across the lads, Toblerone, Vince, and Patrick at the general store. After getting my resupply, I walked up the hill to the restaurant for a 4 PM dinner.
A few years ago, one of my siblings and I car camped just down the road from here. We kayaked on the lake, did some day hikes, and are at the restaurant at the lodge. They had these delicious chicken tenders. I think the sauce was a siracha honey or something and this burger I think they called a dragon burger which had Carolina Reapers and Ghost Peppers. One was in the cheese and the other was in the sauce, but I don't remember which was which.
Unfortunately, the restaurant has changed in the years since that trip, and those options where no longer available. The quote "My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined" crossed my mind. But I was able to get a pretty good burger and a random person who was in the bar section bought me a beer. I ran across Mixer, Trinket, Spare Change, and Green at the restaurant.
We hung out for a while and played some Uno before all hopping on the shuttle back to the dam. They already had their stuff at the shelter, but I got off at the marina so I could hike the mile and a half to the shelter.
At the shelter I ran into Shaka, Sugar Baby, and Tegwyn, who apparently is going by Trout now due to the fish she has tattooed above her knees.
Tomorrow, I crossed the dam and hike up into the Smokeys.