march 20 - almost at fontana

Again we did a longer day. Today was 15 miles, and it wouldnt have been so difficult except that both the uphills and downhills today were very steep. One part is called jacobs ladder. Where you ascend about 600 feet in .6 miles. The trail was almost walking at a 45 degree angle. We were abloe to see 3 large lakes in the distance, one of them is probably fontana dam. Likely because were walking towards the lakes, and tomorrow we will get to the fontana dam shelter in less than 7 miles. The fontana dam shelter has been nicknamed "the fontana hilton". Because it is a 24 person shelter, and it has bathrooms and a shower. Not just a privy. I dont remember if ive described a privy yet, but its pretty much a toilet in a 3 and a half walled stall. With a toilet seat that has just a pile underneath it. Its not a hole in the ground. the pile is above the ground to "facilitate decomposition". This might actually be more pleasant than just an outhouse with a hole in the ground, because the pile is well vented. Im going to try to get a ride to fontana dam tomorrow to stock up on food for the next few days. Were taking the next week off. 3 days of fri, sat, sun at fontana dam. Then to knoxville to spend the first two days of passover with the jewish community there. We are planning return to the trail next week thursday. Then begin the smokies. Taking off a week before the smokies is a good thing. Theres alot of talk of the smokies, and how cold it will be. Nobody is excited for the smokies, only for the hopefully good weather that will be after it. The smokies are about 75 miles of hard uphill and long steep descents at high elevation. It will be cold and difficult, and the nearer we get to spring before entering them the better. The trees here havent even started budding yet, but weve had a few warm days. The night have been cold though, with last night going below freezing. Sleep was a bit difficult last night, we were in a cold, crowded shelter, and one of the annoying girls who were staying there was snoring most of the night. Dj has named the group " the AT divas". They seem very out of place on the trail, with one of them bragging yesterday about how she doesnt care about littering. After which she threw garbage in the privy. They were talking this morning about how their friend is picking them up from the next road because its too cold here for them. Its a windy, chilly night. On to fontana dam tomorrow, then a weeks break. I cant wait for the break, the shower, the food, and the passover seders. Gonna be a good week. As long as we can push off the smokies.