3/31/01
The Sleep Inn in Bryson City was just fine for celebrating anniversary #11 with Paula. We slept in and finally got going around 10 a.m. We drove from Bryson City to the Hike Inn near Fontana Dam and checked in with Jeff and Nancy Hoch. They were very friendly and accommodating so we left our food drop and bump boxes with them. Then we checked out the Fontana Hilton Shelter (a large shelter that sleeps 30, no facilities). We happened to run into 'Heavy" from MA, who was heading into the Smokies. After walking out to the dam and locating the trail on the Smokies side of the dam, we headed back to the NOC River's End Restaurant for lunch (huge platter of nachos! and a turkey sandwich...yum). We rested and relaxed in the room during the afternoon. Creeper and Christie had the hotel slip a bottle of wine into our room and a card which was a nice surprise. We opened the wine and toasted our wonderful marriage before going to Sylva, NC for dinner. We had a great dinner at Alan's, a restaurant opened only 5 weeks ago! Excellent meal, and the soup was on the house since they ran out of the special. Creeper and Christie surprised us yet again by prepaying for our dessert. We got Alan Gould, the owner/chef, to come out for a photo with us for the memorable occasion. If you're near Sylva, you've got to eat here...this restaurant is as good as any in major cities! After the memorable evening we came back to the room and propped up my foot on a pillow on ice for the night to get the swelling down. Great to see Paula...the hardest part about this thru-hike is missing her! Another zero mile day but worth the stopping!
