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and the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply.

11/29/2013

 
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I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity. Einstein
_Morning y'all,

It is another beautiful morning up top. There was a fiesta of colours as I awoke to report the weather this morning - pinks and purples were gently shading the horizon line as I walked to the kitchen, some of Nature's fine watercolour strokes. The air is crisp and I expect to see lots of folks up top burning off yesterday's indulgences!

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Top photo: Approaching Cliff Tops. Above: View from Cliff Tops.
_The high yesterday reached 34 degrees. The low was 16 degrees. It was 28 degrees and clear at 7am observation. We had abundant sunshine yesterday afternoon and an inch of melt, bringing our snowfall total down to 5 inches up top. I would imagine that the trails are still in pretty rough shape, as there were hardly any visitors up top yesterday with 441 closed until mid-afternoon. It sounds like 441 will be open today and the Park's road crews are currently working on Cherokee Orchard Road as I post this. Rainbow Falls trail is open again - reports of a bridge being out were unfounded. Keep in mind that the sun is setting around 5:21, so if you aren't up top by 3pm, I would advise turning around unless you like stumbling around in the woods after dark.
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Great sky.
_I had a lovely hike out to watch the sun set yesterday evening at Cliff Tops. In past seasons, I've returned like an eager puppy, in a rush to drop my bags and see High Point, Myrtle, and all my favorite secret spots on the mountain. That kind of enthusiasm is fun, but it's been rewarding to slowly let the mountain reacquaint herself with me again. There is a new gift awaiting me every day. Heading out to Cliff Tops through one of my favorite sections of pines with the low slanted evening light was phenomenal. The sky was glowing golden and the snow reflected it in a subtly different shading, the contrast was sublime. It felt like a very clear sign that I'd made the right decision to come back for another winter. I have not yet had my fill.
Lydia link
11/29/2013 01:15:41 am

I'm glad you came back. I thoroughly enjoy your writing.

vicki
11/29/2013 01:16:15 am

Sounds lovely...

Ben
11/29/2013 01:21:36 am

Visions of Days to come !!! Thanks for your posts !!!

doug y link
11/29/2013 01:24:57 am

They say that Einstein was correct with his relativity theory; I suppose that's true. Einstein was also popssibly an alien ! I've read his papers and they're over my head for the most part; Stephen Hawkins is another, modern-day brilliant mind, Nice photos of Cliff Tops today. thanks.

Chris
11/29/2013 01:29:04 am

Questions. How many times does one cross LeConte creek on the Rainbow falls trail? How many bridges cross LeConte creek on Rainbow falls trail?

Scott
11/29/2013 01:33:23 am

Being an old guy, the opening reference to the Five Man Electrical Band song got my attention. For you youngsters out there you are probably thinking of the Tesla version. Great writing as I felt like I was there. Enjoyed your post.

doug y link
11/29/2013 06:31:44 am

Hey Scott: I'm rather an "old guy" myself, and that opening quote brought back some memories to me as well ! Sort of like Dr. Hook & company with their "Can't Get my Picture on the Cover of Rolling Stone" !!

Wendi
11/29/2013 01:48:13 am

I am working on my goal to get healthy and be able to hike to Camp LeConte and enjoy the sunset up on the mountain! With my lifestyle changes I will make it!!!

Gina
11/29/2013 02:12:30 am

Good for you Wendi! LeConte is an excellent motivater

jack
11/29/2013 06:33:36 am

"Camp Leconte" !?????

Wendi
12/1/2013 03:19:31 am

Excuse me Jack for not getting the name correct... LeConte Lodge! I've never been there I didn't really know. Thank you Gina for being so encouraging!

Bob Horn
11/29/2013 01:51:59 am

Great caption! And NO signs ANYWHERE! Absolutely stunning photos...

Holtknoblady
11/29/2013 01:55:39 am

How fortunate for us that you had not yet had your fill of our mountain. I wonder that it is possible to reach that level. Enjoy the pics!

Paulrom
11/29/2013 02:08:46 am

I would have to disagree with Einstein. I've been married 47 years and could not imagine being alone. Welcome back jp

John
11/29/2013 02:21:49 am

Welcome back JP. I have missed your post.

Steve R. link
11/29/2013 02:34:06 am

Great to have you back on the mountain, JP. Would love to hear what
you've been reading and are planning to read. I've just about finished
THE FOREST UNSEEN: A YEAR'S WATCH IN NATURE, by David George Haskell. A great read, by a scientist at the U. of the South who studies and reflects on a one meter "mandala" in a forest preserve outside Sewanee for one year. Not so different from you...Cheers!

Tammy Clark
11/29/2013 02:54:49 am

I'm new to this site and from the first photo and beautiful writing I fell head over heels in love. So thankful for a fellow hiker that recommended this hike atop Mt LeConte. The hike is on my list for 2014! Again thanks for the beautiful writing and photos it's almost like being there

Sherleen Cardwell
11/29/2013 03:20:33 am

WELCOME BACK JP ! I love reading all the blogs from the mountain, but I relish yours.So refeshing, likewe are right there viewingwhat you are viewing.You are so gifted, abd if you haven't written a book yet, then shame on you .:-) Thanks for making my day ! Keep up the good work .

Jenny
11/29/2013 04:31:55 am

YAY!!! JP is back!!! I am so looking forward to reading you this winter! Thank you for coming back.

darryl
11/29/2013 06:35:45 am

Speaking of signs, are the signs along the trails and at trail intersections accurate !? I understand that there's some disagreement with the elevation sign on the front of the dining hall, but I guess that's old news...............

Melissa
11/29/2013 07:28:27 am

Beautiful pics! Thanks for sharing

Debi
11/29/2013 08:42:37 am

I read the first line and start singing the song. How can you not! Beautiful pictures today JP. We got 14 inches up here in Michigan. Whooppee, Yep had to put my trax on today.

Jeff
11/29/2013 12:02:57 pm

...so I tucked my hair up under my cap and went in to ask him whyyyyy.....

RJnLA
11/29/2013 12:57:30 pm

It's official. I'm a GEEZER. I grew up listening to this song.

Renee Ryan
11/29/2013 03:22:24 pm

Welcome back,JP!! So glad you made the decision to come back for another winter season on the mountain. I look forward to reading your posts every day. I love your positive outlook on life.Hope you have a great season!

Bushman
11/29/2013 03:53:47 pm

Brrrrrrrr

Long John Silver
11/29/2013 04:27:42 pm

For a Few Dollars More

Janet
11/29/2013 04:55:56 pm

Welcome back, JP, I missed you!

FFDM
11/29/2013 05:37:23 pm

CA LA

Colonel Gaddafi
11/29/2013 06:30:09 pm

OK LJS

Sadam
11/29/2013 06:42:35 pm

Thank you Colonel

Ernesto Che Guevara
11/29/2013 09:16:06 pm

llama

Bill Drummy
11/29/2013 10:45:41 pm

Glad to have you back on the mountain. You have a gift for a post...your love of the mountain shows strong.

barbara callahan link
11/30/2013 01:00:28 am

sounds like you made it home

Sharon
11/30/2013 07:22:15 am

Welcome back! Aren't we the lucky ones!!


Comments are closed.
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