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Today was not an ordinary day. In fact, no day on the trail is ordinary. Today was the final approach to Fontana Dam, the gateway to the Smokies. As I began my walk today, Fontana Lake became larger and marger, I was descending into the gateway. The Smokies loomed large over Fontana Lake. The lake has been hit hard by the drought, you can see the old shore line in comparison to the current one. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the AT Crossings Center, and a kiosk with the backcountry permit I will be required to carry during operation GSMNP(Great Smokie Mountains National Park). I had the honopr of using my first flushable toilet in three days, it was quite a delight. I then began the 1.4 mile trot to the visitor's center. I discovered with hapiness that the center was closed until the start of May/ There were few people without backpacking backpacks around. I was then swooped up by the Hike Inn. I have been planning to stay here since before I hit trail. I then started the chores that come with resupply/ I emptied my backpack and sorted my clothes and food bags. Clean clothes and a shower are simply amazing these days. Cleanliness is good for the morale. I then got a ride to town to buy food for resupply. I had to buy enough food to get me to Hot Springs, North Carolina. I will send two to three days worth of food ahead to myself at Standing Bear Farm, just outside the Smokies. I am now preparing my backpack for tomorrow. I will most likely zero at the Fontana Hilton Shelter. Mother nature is preparing to unleash her fury upon the Smokies, and I am not going to take her on. The AT in the Smokies hovers between four and six thousand feet for most of the 70 miles in the park. Being caught on gthe ridge in bad weather is asking for trouble. I shall now go to sleep.I shall down rest my body. I shall now prepare for my assault on the Smokies. I shall now prepare to execute operation GSMNP. And that's the way it was. Kirby

Ga>ME 2008