No bear sightings in the smokys :(

So here we are in hot springs, N.C., a lovely little town with a lovely public library which I am currently sitting in. The past week, our trek through the smoky mountains nat'l park, has been wonderful. We've met new people and caught up with some already known ones.
Start the smokys: the first 3 days were mostly uphill to the apex being clingmans dome, the highest point on the AT. Minus some people not being able to follow leave no trace ethics and not burying their feces properly, causing one unfortunate incident of, we'll call it 'boot poop', the first few days were lovely, with Kristi and I doing a few higher mileage days than planned, but enjoying every minute of it. We went over rocky top and clingmans dome on clear days.
The second part of the smokys, most of which is down hill after clingmans, was alright. We started feeling our longer days catching up to us, as well as our food supply dwindling since we decided to not stop into the money pit known as Gatlinburg. Thanks again to all those who donated to the 'Neon and Trout are hungry but don't have quite enough snacks to make it' food donation program:) There was also snow left in recesses of the higher elevations, which made the trail a bit muddy (yay gaitors!) Because of the few bad days of weather we had in the smokys (aka rain turning into mist turning into hail for a bit), we unfortunately missed the view from Charlie's Bunyon (yes, the actual name) but on our last full day in the park, made a short jaunt out to Mount Camerer, which totally made up for anything we may have missed.
After surviving our first national park through-hike experience, we hiked a few miles out to the Standing Bear hostel to revel in showers and laundry. Unfortunately, their washer was broken, so we had to hand wash our clothes and put them into a generations-old dryer to dry for about 3 hours. We then had clothes that didn't quite smell any better, they just smelled the same instead of distinctively different. We left the next day, and after hearing about a bear that isn't scared of people stealing food @ a few shelters, decided to camp @ a campsite right off of a huge bald, aptly named Max Patch. We camped there, and went out to the bald to watch the sunset, and wait for a meteor shower. We made it til 10pm, then went to bed with no meteor shower, but the sunset was gorgous. The next day, we hiked on to read in shelter journals about the bear, but no sightings. Apparently he likes to take down and eat what's in your bear bag, and we did run into one guy, Turtleback, who did get his food taken but thankfully no one was hurt even though the bear did return a couple more times that night.
But, alas, here we are @ hot springs, with still no bear stories, about to go soak in the spa with some wine, beer, and good company after a delicious (vegetarian) meal @ Elmers/the Sunnybank Inn. Cheers!

first 5% done!(maybe)

yes I'm still alive, and it's been wonderful so far! can't wait to head into the smokeys tomorrow and then on to hot springs!!! our longest day so far was yesterday, with Kristi and I each doing 16 or so miles. the first week it rained, then the sun came out, then rain and now it snowed last night, good thing the shelter was full so we had body heat. I've also met quite the motley crew of awesome, and sometimes interesting, people, all of whom have their own story, most of which are interesting. as of right now, we're on schedule and staying the night with half Elvis, bear bait, and pony boy in Fontana dam because it's so cold. onward and forward to 15 miles tomorrow!!