Vandeventer Shelter

17.5 miles, 430 total.
Started out around 8:30 this morning. Had a really nice hike for the first 2.5 miles. Big rock-walled canyon with water falls and small bridges. Got a bunch of pictures but it was mostly rainy and misty.
Then it got really tough. A big uphill climb of almost 2000 feet over a mile and a half. With the wind blowing 20-30 mph it was tough. Then I got to come down again! Then two more smaller climbs of around 700 feet each. Mostly walking in the wind, mist, and rain. I walked around a very large and long lake - Watauga Lake (maybe). The trail went along its banks and across the damn that creates the lake. It's similar to Beaver Lake in Arkansas. It was created by the TVA as a work project and destroyed a town and many homes that are now at the bottom of the lake. The major difference is that the TVA doesn't allow development around the lake. Only development allowed are state sponsored marinas and stores.
Met a retiree - south bound section hiker who has done most of the trail in bits and pieces. We talked and snacked for a few minutes. His daughter, a school teacher, married a guy from McPherson, KS and now they live on the upper west side of Manhattan. hehe. small world. too small some times.
Here at the shelter with the 2 Fla. north bound sectioners, 2 south bound sectioners, and 1 thru (left toe). This shelter is interesting for several reasons: 1. the water source is down in the valley about 1 mile. a very long haul; 2. from behind the shelter one has a great view of the lake and mountains surrounding it; 3. someone was murdered at this shelter in the 70's.
COOOOL.
Later,
L