Those are 2 villages the people live in the caves now.

I saw the report of that fire in Pigeon Forge a little while ago and the first thing I thought of was the lodge, but then I realized that the blaze was further away. I also thought about the firemen that, as you stated, risk their lives in dangerous situations to protect others. They deserve far more credit than they sometimes are given. This reminded me of a quote that I feel is meaningful:
"Reverence for life affords me my fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, assisting, and enhancing life and that to destroy, harm, or to hinder life is evil. Affirmation of the world - - that is, affirmation of the will to live, which appears in phenomenal forms all around me - - is only possible for me in that I give myself out for other life." Albert Schweitzer
I believe that if I think about what I ought to do for other people, my character will take care of itself. I only hope that I can live up to such ideals. Yes, I pray that the people fighting this blaze will be safe. I'm driving down to the Park this afternoon to camp at Elkmont and hope to observe the airlift tomorrow, provided that the weather cooperates. Have a great day up on the mountain !

I was about to leave when I noticed another report on that fire where I could see Mt. Leconte in the background. It was on "Fox News & Friends". G'day

Welcome back I can't wait to hear and see your pics from your trip. Planning on Gburg in 5 days! Don't know if we'll get to hike up to see the wonderful people at the lodge or not. Would love to though Once is not enough for me!! Thanks for the fire info and I pray all the fire personnel are ok. Looking forward to reading your blogs again.

I really must be getting old, despite all my efforts and concentration not to do so ! Just before I was to depart to drive down to camp at Elkmont I looked at the weather forecast one last time and it made me decide to just remain at home, at least until this aftrernoon where I can always leave later; I normally do not allow the forecast to hinder my camping and hiking plans. I felt that the weather might interfere with the airlift tomorrow which was why I was coming down. It could still take place and I've wanted to see it for a while; I guess if the truth be known it's at least the excuse I was using this time to get to the Smokies !! Christi at the office told me that the fire was over in Wear Valley, which is the road leading to Townsend from Pigeon Forge I believe. The limited view I saw on the news gave me a different perspective. Regardless, I, too, hope that no one is injured fighting it; I know where it is and I remember quite a few cabins of all sizes there and it looks like a lot of them have been lost. Tragic economically to say the least. I, too, am looking forward to hearing some details about your ascent in Tanzania of Kilimanjaro, especially since I made it way back in the day. I'm very curious as to the deterioration of the glacial ice on Kibo, the main peak. Hopefully I'll be able to get up to the lodge soon. I can't help but wonder at all the activity going on up there right now with the initial preparations for the opening of the new season. G'day

I see that Trillium Gap is listed as not opening until April 12th. We were really looking forward to going up that trail the 30th and coming down April 1st. Is there any change they will open the Roaring Fork Road early?

If the road is closed, and the trail connecting RF and TG trail is NOT on your punch list, then walk the road. We came down TG last year or the year before when the road was closed and generally concluded that we worked a lot harder taking the trail when we could have taken the road. To a purist, the road might be unconscionable, to a pragmatist it's faster. For me, the option only exists when the road is closed.

WOW!! amazing photo from high above of that blaze! awful a fire of such magnitude.