"If I remember right, we just go up and over that little bump and the next climb will take us to it!"  That is what was said 4 or 5 little bumps ago.  The morning has been beautiful…blue sky and warmer than any other time on the trail thus far.  We are all wearing few layers and talking and walking our way over the last few ridge-top hills that lead to Dragon's Tooth.  At one point we hit a rut in the trail that has gathered so many leaves that our legs disappear up to our knees.  We laugh at the absurdity of the deafening sound and Viking shouts out "Its like 500 people eating potato chips all at the same time!"
 

We have only been out for 2 days and we are already excited, almost giddy about lunch.  With a car parked in Catawba, there is no question where we will eat -  The Homeplace.  It is a restaurant in the valley below that brings out big serving plates of 2 meats and a host of sides and it is all you can eat!  Kind of a buffet that they bring to you.  The ridge that we are going across now has a very narrow, green, hilly valley that runs below it.  At one of the overlooks, Viking uses the silos and houses to guide our view right to The Homeplace.
 

"So that is why they call it Dragon's Tooth."  It is about 1PM and we are standing at the base of a large flat rock, jutting sideways up from the earth, giving the appearance of a huge gray tooth.  We walk around for a little while, trying to figure out the best way up.  Though it is sunny and warmer, there is still snow and ice around the base of this trail landmark – which is tough enough to climb during the best of conditions. 

Crumbs, Viking and 4-today lead the group up what I believe to be a very questionable approach.  There are two stone walls facing each other at about a shoulder and a half length apart.  The walls have some dimples in them and it is easy to push off against each wall for leverage to climb.  But today, the trick is that in between these walls is a slick, wet, icy carpet.  But each person climbs with surprising ease. 

Once on top of the rock wall, there is a nice sitting platform where you can look out all over the valley on either side, and the ridges in front and behind you.  I sit and chat for a little while, but I cannot help but being drawn to the rest of this rock formation.  The actual Dragon Tooth goes up to a pretty sharp point, just a few yards above this platform.  There are a few comfortable seats up there, but to get to them you have to climb the side of the tooth.  It is high up, with a good drop to one side, and a GREAT drop to the other.  There is a fairly steep climb, and it is very narrow- maybe half of a shoulder length, and less than that at places.  But I can't resist. 

"Can I have your pack when you fall?" and other such encouraging words are muttered as I start my way up.  At about half way, there is sort of a level and wider resting spot.  But the last leg up is the hardest.  I stop for only a moment, and then push my way up to the top.  I sit there for a while, smiling, looking out over everything, and feel my clenched fingertips digging deeper into the rock with every slight wind gust.  
 

4-Today is not to be outdone!  She is a swimmer and has already told us that she is competitive.  And soon she has scratched her way up to the seat beside me.
 

And there we sit friends old and new, warming in the sun, looking down from this hike's apex, on a world that took a weekend to escape.  All too soon, the sun lowers, stomachs growl, and we begin to make our way back down.