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all i want for christmas is you.

12/25/2013

 
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We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. Nietzsche
Morning y'all,

It's another gorgeous morning on the mountain. The high yesterday reached 33 degrees. The low dropped down to 8 degrees. It was 27 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received a trace of snow yesterday morning and there is still some patchy snow left up top. I've heard that Alum is pretty slick, so please be sure to pack traction devices. Allow yourself plenty of time to hike down, as Yogi Berra said, it is that time of year where it gets late early. It looks like we're in for some clear weather, so the views should be pretty great. Enjoy!
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Top photo & above: Sunset yesterday evening.
I went out hunting for sunrise this morning. It's been a little while, as I've conceded the duskydawn hours to the native animals and have been respecting their space. However, the temptation of finding a big sunrise over my beloved Smokies with some inversion caps still hanging around was enough to violate my treaty. I left at seven with a Thermos of coffee. I forgot how short the days where, as I got to Apollo Overlook and had a twenty minute skyshow before the sun crested those distant North Carolina mountains. The majority of the valley clouds must have passed out overnight with our rising temperatures, but it was still a fantastic show. There were some distant clouds pinking up on the horizon and the sky grew ever more impressive shades of orange, yellow and purple. It's always the predawn show that is most impressive, the crescendo to sunrise. For some reason, the colours are richer before the sun hits the clouds. As I tramped back, the trail was lit with the slanty golden red of new day sun mingled with treeshadows. Sometimes it's all too much.
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Good light in bobcat country.
Ronnie
12/25/2013 12:38:02 am

Merry Christmas JP. I really look forward to your daily post.

Sharon
12/25/2013 12:44:11 am

Merry Christmas JP!! Hope you have a wonderful day!! BEAUTIFUL pictures!!

Tony Ga
12/25/2013 12:47:28 am

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Debi
12/25/2013 02:13:35 am

Ditto !!

Ben
12/25/2013 12:50:37 am

Merry Christmas, JP !

doug y link
12/25/2013 12:53:16 am

Just wanted to add my "Merry Christmas" !!

Jo
12/25/2013 12:57:10 am

Merry Christmas JP!!!

Sherry M link
12/25/2013 01:01:51 am

Merry Christmas, JP! Always enjoy your pictures and philosophy of life. Thanks for sharing!

Susan b
12/25/2013 01:03:53 am

Merry Christmas to JP and my friends who love Leconte!

Theresa/Tennessee
12/25/2013 01:15:27 am

What a great Christmas gift! You have been blessed! Merry Christmas to you and everyone!

Pat N.
12/25/2013 01:25:42 am

A very Merry Mountain Christmas, JP!

timorhy
12/25/2013 01:27:13 am

Very intriguing shot of sunplay on that last pic! A fantastic first faux fiasco! Hope to see ya next big snowfall man. Peace....

doug y link
12/25/2013 01:27:21 am

Just wanted to add a thought that I just posted on my own website (still "in the works stages"): What a pleasure it wouldl be right now to up on the mountain with some of the people who psot here, "Friends of Leconte", so to speak ! A little eggnog, spiked if you prefer, or hot cocoa, brandy, just whatever pleases one's palate. I can just imagine sitting up at Cliff Tops, for example, around my little white gas stove with a pot of hot water ready for whatever you want to make with it ! Sounds enjoyable to me ! G'day

timothy even?
12/25/2013 01:30:13 am

But timorhy sounds Swahili-ish? :-)

Mar F
12/25/2013 01:34:43 am

Merry Christmas JP, and to all the Friends of LeConte! Happy Trails!

Mamaw B
12/25/2013 01:36:59 am

A very Merry Christmas, JP and all who read these posts. Have a tremendous holiday season.

Gulf Coast Doug
12/25/2013 01:40:14 am

Merry Christmas to the entire LeConte loving family of bloggers out there. A day to warm the hearth with a big oak log. I'll take some Irish Cream Doug Y.

doug y link
12/25/2013 10:30:21 am

Good choice ! I'll add that one to my list.

Rebecca
12/25/2013 01:45:00 am

Now that is what I call a Christmas gift. Merry Christmas!

Paula B.
12/25/2013 01:55:23 am

Merry, Merry Christmas to you! Wonderful pictures, as usual. Is/that last shot of the sun shining through? It looks like a lantern sitting in the trees.

Terry
12/25/2013 02:12:29 am

Merry Christmas, JP. And peace on Earth (as if anything else were possible up there)!

John
12/25/2013 02:13:05 am

Thank you for sharing your stellar morning with us. I'm sure pictures do not begin to reveal the splendor of the sunrise, but they do give us a glimpse of its glory. I hope the rest of your day is filled with pure joy and satisfaction, as you marvel at the beauty around you. It is an honor to share vicariously in this experience with you.

Glenn Oh
12/25/2013 02:18:54 am

Merry Christmas JP and everyone who visits this site every day like myself, WOW what a sunset picture, hope to get up soon !!!

Connie
12/25/2013 02:29:22 am

Merry Christmas! Stay warm.

jean d
12/25/2013 03:22:35 am

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all the High on LeConte friends! Hope each and everyone of you has a wonderful day. It is bright and sunny down here in the valley and 35 deg at 11:15. Fire in the fireplace, just finished champagne brunch and preparing to roast the turkey for Christmas meal with .family. Happy to read all the greetings from the blog regulars. Best wishes to all of you!

Michigan Bob
12/25/2013 03:33:43 am

JP, thank you so much for your wonderful photos & your daily observations. Merry Christmas to you and to all who visit here.

Mary, Ohio
12/25/2013 03:42:32 am

Merry Christmas JP! I so enjoy your thoughts, and pictures. I look forward to your posts evertday. Wishing all who frequent this site a very Merry Christmas spent with those you hold closest to your hearts! Blessings to all!

Lydia link
12/25/2013 05:08:02 am

Merry Christmas, J.P. Enjoy the heck out of it!!!

"Boss Lady"
12/25/2013 10:31:49 am

Merry Christmas, J.P. First time I've ever commented, but I do enjoy reading your posts everyday. I intend to hike Alum Cave on Jan. 2. Never done that before either. Would love to meet you & maybe bring you something you need or want. Look for me next week & wish me luck.

doug y link
12/25/2013 10:45:47 am

Is that the "burning bush" that Moses saw !? Interesting......

Melissa: posted a comment under your name for Dec 23rd.

Melissa G
12/25/2013 11:39:33 am

After a busy Christmas day down here on the coast of NC, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and tell you all how much I enjoy reading your posts. J.P., beautiful photos yet again. Thanks!

Bob
12/25/2013 12:03:39 pm

Merry Christmas!

Thanks again for your wonderful writing and images. Today's post was an especially nice present.

ric
12/25/2013 02:49:18 pm

merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Melissa
12/26/2013 08:47:21 am

doug y

Saw your comment from the 23rd - HI!


Comments are closed.
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