3/27 A good day

14 miles hiked today, 199.1 miles N
Mnt. Collins Shelter

Today I was still feeling the after effects of yesterday. I took some time for myself and read for while before getting up. In the end I pushed off at about 9:30.
Initially I mainly had a treed in view. After that though I followed a ridge line. Although the smokies were earning their name the narrow/steep ridge allowed me to look over both sides. I was really enjoying myself and had to really focus on making sure I didn't step off the edge.
After that the trail rose into a dense pine forest. I was astonishing. The trees were so close together I doubt I could have thrown a rock much farther than 10 feet. The ground was littered with dead trees covered in moss, the ground was covered with soft soil and most moss. If I looked at most I could see nearly half a dozen different kinds and colors of mosses. I found this to be some of the most inspiring and relaxing scenery to see. This terrain held up all the way up to the top of Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT. The view was clouded in but the trees nearby was clouded in. There was a road going right up to the top with a spiraled concrete ramp that took visitors above the tree line. The road was a bit of a disappointment but it was closed until April 1st so there was no traffic to speak of. Up top of the tower Renaissance man, Snack break, no name, and I hung out for a while and then M.A. and Fire Marshall. Everyone started back up the trail while I poked around the other side of the peak where I found a pollution monitoring station. Also around the top there were all sorts of birds, sparrows, cardinals, and hawks circling above.
After that I pushed on down the trail and caught up with M.A. and Marshall and hiked with them until we rolled into the shelter about 2 hours. The whole time was spent in the pine forest which was a treat for me. Since the woods were so dense the shelter was in a very tight space. We all gathered and cooked around the campfire. During this we all realized we had heard the same sound. It was a really quiet deep sound, almost more felt than heard. I though it was the trees creaking, others though it sounded like a diesel engine starting. It turned out to a grouse. That all for now. More tomorrow.