Beautiful...just beautiful! Have a glorious day, JP!

We first hiked LeConte in 1979 and have come every year since. Brought the kids and are now bringing the grandkids. But alas this year is in question because just found out I need a knee replacement. See the doc. this afternoon. If we make it I am 69 and my husband if 72. We have hiked all the trails but find alum the best for these old bones. It kills me that my days on top may be over, except for these postings, so keep them up.

Barrie,
I've never posted here before but saw an opportunity to encourage you. I'm 69. My husband and I started climbing LeConte in 1996 and have stayed at the lodge twice a year since then. There was a time when I stopped climbing due to bad knees but my husband continued without me. 3 1/2 years ago I had my first knee replaced and then a year ago tomorrow (13th) I had the second knee done. WHAT A BLESSING!! After a long absence, I returned to our beloved mountain this past October with my husband, son and future daughter in law to celebrate my 69th birthday. Our picture in found under "Guest Sightings". I'm the one in the pink coat. Please don't give up and assume that if you have the surgery your climbing days are over. My knees are no longer as issue that limits my activities but I realize that the results can be different for different people. They have come a long way in making this surgery, for the most part, very successful. Good luck and , hopefully, happy hiking.

Beckie L.....I know also of how these mtns. draw your soul. Does the same for me and my husband. We travel down there twice a year and people ask us..."don't you want to visit other places?" No is always my answer. Until you get these mtns. in your blood and get that close to God while you are there....you would have no clue. So I read the blog every morning and that sustains me until I can get back there in the Spring.

Many thanks Tony Ga; I'd thought about getting out my TI-84 calculator, the one that has more computing power and options than the Apollo 11 mission's onboard computer and that I'll never fully use nor understand (!), but I was lazy. I figured somoeone would make that calculation; I would have guessed that the average age might have been slightly higher. But thanks. Yesterday was indeed a great day for posting comments, one I enjoyed immensely ! Debi: I believe you're right with your statement yesterday that the most difficult thing to achieve is finding lodging in Gatlinburg that suits your particular needs. I understand that. But I solved that problem long ago because I almost always stay at the old Gatlionburg Inn {located next to the chairlift right in the middle of town} and although it's not the most modern one available, I absolutely love it and always request the same second story corner room with a little porch outside it where I love to sit and chat with the folks ridiing up and down on the chairlift ! This Inn, however, is closed for about three months during the winter, and if I'm over there then I have two or three other alternative choices, so, finding a room is rarely problematic for me, but that just reflects differences in tastes and preferences, etc. I can't remember too many days when you've not posted comments as I look forward to seeing yours there. I can feel spring approaching, too. That means ramping up my plans again and making my list of day hikes to take, interspersed with visits to the lodge occasionally. I'd go there every week if I could. Barrie b: I can feel your concern and discomfort as I, too, have developed bad knees, arthritis mainly, but I've learned to ignore the pains mostly, and I could face knee replacement later this year. I don't like to even briefly think about not hiking, and I'll find a way to do so. I'll crawl up to the lodge if that's what it takes. I have people tell me that knee replacements are "iffy", but I choose to ignore those opinions as I have a tremendous positive attitude. I firmly believe that one can often heal oneself with sheer will power, and it's worked reasonably well and often for me. I know my body won't last forever, but I can certainly fight it ! Looks like today would be an excellent day to be in the Park hiking, etc. I think I feel an "implusive desire" coming over me even now !! I think that the future of the lodge is solid and secure from all the people who post comments here, judging by their positive views and attitudes toward the lodge experience, and the Park in general. I have a news bulletin from the "future" which I may post at a later time; it's a bit humorous, but I'll wait for a while to put it on here. I read about some folks hiking up the Brushy Mtn. trail and in all my years I think I've been on it only twice, long ago, so, I think that may be my next route sometime soon. I was wondering how many people here remember the old "Happy Hiker" camping store ? I bought a lot of my present equipmen from there and miss it. I've been in the new(er) NOC store only twice and I msut go back and educate myself on some of the latest new equipment. G'day to all and good hiking ! "May each of your bootsteps resound with the feelings of the spirit of the trail !"

Great Galloping Gertie !! I'm glad they don't grade on spelling here !

Ok - I just had to respond today. I'm 46 and this year will be our 4th hiking trip to our favorite place. I have two girls - 12 (almost 13) and 19 who started college. Last year it was just my younger one and I that hiked up but on Trillium. We loved the trail but felt like we were the only ones on it (we passed just one other group the entire time). I would love to be able to hike with other people but we seem to be the crazy people who have a passion for hiking and seeing what He has created. As I've said before, my younger daughter Jenna loves new adventures but she means business when we hike. She gets an attitude and will keep you moving! :) You are blessed if you can take a moment to breathe. We're coming up again in July and I hope and pray my older daughter will join us. Doug, as always I love reading what you post.
It is so great to see the different ages that have a love for this mountain. For the one in his 20's who asked how come others don't see our love for hiking, there are distractions in this world that don't allow them to see what's out there. The busyness of every day life, the technology that so many refuse to leave for a moment, so forth keep them from truly enjoying His creation.
Blessings to all!

Doug, still looking for that lodging. If I could use the showers I think I'd stay there for a week. Just put me to work Allyson, I love to cook and for cleaning and making beds, well, I do that all the time anyway. Hint, hint! I will leave my son and husband at the bottom of the hill and they can go ride go-carts. They can join me latter.
On the new knee topic, my mother in law is in need of 2 new knees. Shes 69 and can barely walk anymore. She has tried everything. I tell her to bite the bullet and just do it.
Yep, people ask me why I go all the time. I just tell them, I found a good place and love it. Mt. Leconte soothes my soul. I think we need a bumper sticker that says that. I really do think were the lucky ones to find this tiny little place in the big world we live in.

I'm thinking a banjo playing at Alum Cave Bluffs would be an easy first hike and a welcome sound for folks climbing from Inspiration Point thru the Bluffs to Gracies Pulpit. The energy would be great and the acoustics awesome. EVERYONE would be smiling as they clibed through that stretch.

The audience, while transient, would include day hikers and have the advantage of potential acoustical elements.

Is this not the greatest blog in the world !! Thanks for getting it started Doug Y. This blog will always be great, helpful and respectful if we want it to be. Great caretakers like JP will and should be "icing on the cake"

My wife and I came up in 2010 at age 70 to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. We have been up 4 more times and have reservations in Sept. this year. After our Oct. 2011 trip, I had to have my 5th stent put in. In Aug. 2012 we hiked 34 miles including LaCont and now my 21 year old artificiat hip will need replacing before the Sept. trip. I am not complaining, I am grateful, as they say: I may slow down but I don't have to stop.

Also, I don't care if the grammer/spelling police find all kind of mistakes, I know that my Laconte friends could care less !!

Doug, I remember the Happy Hiker. I bought my first hiking boots there way back in the 80's when I was hiking with my daughter down there and I miss that store. I too am drawn to the Smokies. I go down 2-3 times per year. A bunch of us gals come down in May and one of the gals decided last year that she was burned out on the Smokies so doesn't participate anymore. I ask you, how can anyone get burned out on the Smokies????

Ken: When in September will you be at the lodge. I have reservations for the night of Sept.15..just curious if you'll be there the same time.

Love reading all the posts. Would be interested in knowing who is the lives the most miles from the Smokies. I've seen Michigan, Ohio, Florida. What say you all?

Marilyn, I live in south central Louisiana. It's 750 miles-11hours and 2 pit stops and by nascar standards quick ones. I'am lucky too, my gal can hold her blader as long as me. As I said the other day if the time is rite and the weather is good, I am there. One day drive, one day hike to the top and eat lunch at cliff tops, and drive home the next. The old timers at the coffee shop say where you been boy, I tell them and they just scrach their heads. Now for all you Banjo players, one is OK but if yall go to dualing with each other better make sure the trail is clear. My friend John N's record is sure to be broken on that day.

Dixie-leaving early in the morning you have already learned about, but the rest is the regular stuff-take plenty of water, a sandwich, snacks etc-good trail shoes that you have already broken in-get some hiking/walking in the weeks before if you can-take a $2 poncho from Walmart/Walgreens-I recommend trekking poles also-and then HAVE FUN! You will love it.

Leconte is a special place for me .I'm 51 years old and have hiked to top at least 25 times over the years.Day hikes, shelter stays,and of course many wonderful nights at the lodge .My wife of 25 years passed away 3 years ago after a 12 year battle with cancer . MT. Leconte was one of her most favorite places to be in all the world.We were blessed to have been able to travel to places such as Hawaii,Alaska,and many Caribbean islands.There still is nothing more majestic than watching the sun set from cliff tops on a clear fall night.My wife would not allow cancer to keep her off the mountain.We hiked up even during the times she was taking chemo.After cancer spread to her bones [including her hip ] she underwent radiation on those areas .Her doc strongly advised her not to be hiking up any mountains due to the risk of hip fracture .She just would smile at him knowing that would not keep her off the trails.We would just allow plenty of time and not be in any hurry.It saddens me to think of all the visitors to GSMNP who never leave the comforts of their cars and see the wonders that God has blessed us with.Our time on this earth is not promised ,so get out there and enjoy the beauty .It's never to late to start hiking .May God bless you all.

Glen, sounds like she was an amazing woman. Thanks for sharing your story.

Glenn,

Thank you for sharing. My husband passed away eight years ago from cancer. Unless you have been there, you do not realize how precious life truly is.

God Bless!

Thanks for the inspiration Glen. Your wife was truly an amazing woman. Stories like hers really make you believe in "mind over matter" Most folks would just shut down and wait to die during trying times like she experienced. I've often wondered if heaven will be anything like the views experienced from Mt. LeConte. For me to be truly happy it'll have to be. They DO call the smokies "Gods Country" for a reason.