Half way through the Smokey Mountains

Sonshine has hiked half way through the Smokey Mountains. It has been raining during the day and cold at night. She made it to the highest point along the AT, Clingmans Dome at 6643 feet. Sonshine was there early in the morning and was not able to climb up the observation tower due to the ice. From this point in the Smokey's some hikers go into the town of Gatlinburg, TN and Sonshine made the journey. She was given a ride into town by a former thru-hiker named Bama and he husband Bill. Bama thru-hiked the AT in 2006 and each year in the spring and fall she gets "Springer Fever" - the urge to go and hike the trail. Bama was going to hike for a month from the middle of the Smokey's to Damascus, VA where the Appalachian Trail Days festival is held. She is planning to meet her husband there and they will stay for the festival.

Sonshine went to the post office to pick up her mail drop with her next week's supply of food inside. Sonshine's mail drop was not there but she was surprised to have received two cards. One was an Easter card from her Mom and another was an encouraging card from a friend at her church in Bowie, MD. Both of these cards were very thoughtful and encouraging for Sonshine! About the food box, Sonshine took the trolley into the nearest grocery store the next day to buy her food for the next week. The trip to the grocery store took about 5 hours round trip. Sonshine did get to enjoy the town and the tourists along the way. The motel that she stayed in was very hiker friendly. She especially enjoyed talking with the managers one who is from India and his wife who is from Trinidad.

Sonshine also was able to talk with some of her hiker friend's : TWO - PACKS, IZZY, SHAMELESS BLUE BLAZER, TOM, HOUDINI, BLINK and BLESSED.