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We have left the land and have embarked. We have burned our bridges behind us - indeed, we have gone farther and destroyed the land behind us. Now, little ship, look out! Beside you is the ocean: to be sure, it does not always roar, and at times it lies spread out like silk and gold and reveries of graciousness. But hours will come when you will realize that it is infinite and that there is nothing more awesome than infinity. Nietzsche
_Morning,

It's a beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday reached 37 degrees. The overnight low was 31 degrees. It was 34 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received .40" of rain yesterday. We were up in the clouds until evening, when some stars decided to make a guest appearance after a few evenings off. There's almost no more snow left up top and only a few icy sections left on Alum.

This fine morning feels like a blessing after the past few days. I truly do enjoy hiking in the fog, with the mist veiling the universe beyond and only my memory to serve as guide to the local sights. It is it's own kind of special. But still, somehow after a few gray days it's easy to forget what a show the morning puts on. These clear days with  a little bit of cloud cover gently shake the sky to life with a mix of warm pinks, lavenders and a hint of orange. It is simply beautiful. There is no point in making it more complicated than it needs to be.
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Top photo: My friends made me a wreath! They are just incredible. Don't worry, it was a downed tree branch :) Above: Alum Cave trail in the mists.
 


Comments

Bob B.
12/25/2012 9:22am

Merry Christmas JP!!!

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Linda M
12/25/2012 9:27am

Love the wreath! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas. What a place to be on a special day like today!

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Les Rust
12/25/2012 9:37am

JP, wishing you a Merry Christmas on this day. Thanks for the gifts that you give to us through your posts and pics. Blessings on you.

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Al
12/25/2012 9:48am

Merry Christmas, JP!

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Bill Drummy
12/25/2012 9:56am

Merry Christmas John Paul...you will enjoy it in a special place.

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Becky Moore
12/25/2012 10:02am

Merry Christmas JP! Thank you for the daily updates and awesome pictures.

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Pat N.
12/25/2012 10:06am

A Blessed Mountain Christmas to you, JP!

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Sherry
12/25/2012 10:09am

MERRY CHRISTMAS JP. Have a great day. See you soon.
Sherry & Sydney

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Scott N
12/25/2012 10:36am

Merry Christmas JP!!!! Thanks for your daily posts, I never miss it.

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Brad
12/25/2012 10:42am

Merry Christmas JP!

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John
12/25/2012 11:14am

I hope the beauty and serenity of the day overwhelms your soul. Be blessed!

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H Clark
12/25/2012 11:28am

Merry Christmas. Have a nice day and, hopefully, you will have hikers on the mountain today.

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Tony Ga
12/25/2012 11:45am

Merry Christmas to all!!!

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Jacque J
12/25/2012 12:47pm

Merry Christmas JP!

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Debi
12/25/2012 1:56pm

Merry Christmas JP and all you great hiking people.

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Sharon in AL
12/25/2012 7:40pm

Merry Christmas from north AL!!! Be careful up there tonight. High winds moving in over the Appalachians. Take cover, and maybe you'll see some of that "white stuff" tomorrow!!!

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pam
12/25/2012 8:36pm

Merry Christmas jp and all. Stay safe out there. We in central Ohio are under a blizzard warning for Wed. I will send some your way JP.

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Marilyn
12/25/2012 8:41pm

Merry Christmas JP and to all those who follow this site. We in Central Indiana are also on a winter storm watch for Wed. Predictions of 8+ inches of that fine white stuff beginning after 2:00 AM. Causing most of my out of town family to high-tail it for home before it hits! As for me, I've got plenty of books and hot choc to see me through the storm. We'll see if it really happens!

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Warren Morrison
12/26/2012 8:42am

Great pic on Alum. I liked the light on the branches contrasting with the fog. Enjoy your special time on the mountain. Merry Christmas JP.

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Dan H
12/26/2012 8:54am

Glad you had a good Christmas, JP.

We're probably heading up to LeConte later this week. What sort of things do you need brought up?

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12/26/2012 12:30pm

Wonderful!

What a joy to be with your loved ones exactly where you want to be. You are a wealthy man, JP!

Remember I was telling you about this book "The Last American Man." It began great but Eustace's real personality didn't take too long to surface :) Here is my version of the book review: http://helenbukulmez.com/?p=830 Hope you like it.

Greetings from Lexington, KY, where there is nothing to compare to the glorious LeCtone :)

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alan
12/27/2012 4:59am

JP: we finally got some snow! It was a nice divergence to the usual flow of the day. Hope all is well and see you at the lbl if not sooner

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Bob & Iona
12/27/2012 8:00am

Merry Christmas your gifts to us all are your pictures and posts ... have blessed New Year

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