Day 19 - Cody Gap to Fontana Dam Shelter
9.8 miles
It was overcast today but no rain.
For days we've been looking forward to Fontana Dam and the start of the Smokies and now we're here.
Padawan wasn't feeling well this afternoon so @toesalad carried her pack for a while, he's a good leader.
We arrived at the Fontana "Hilton" early midafternoon. That last mile of hiking seemed to take forever, hiking along the lake's edge. The lake's water level is controlled by the dam, as evidenced by the trash that's discarded at the high water mark along the shore.
The Fontana Hilton is a large shelter and there is a large group of hikers here tonight. They are enjoying themselves and it's easy to see how this shelter gets its' party reputation. It's a gathering place and it's easy to bring alcohol here located as it is just a few miles, a short hitch or shuttle ride, from Fontana Village.
In addition to the shelter there are tents set up everywhere.
It's 9pm and we're tucked into bed now, fellow hikers are drinking, chatting and laughing outside, but most people are making their way to bed now and things are quieting down.
Tomorrow we enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest.
