April 26, 2014

Good afternoon to all of you from the sun-kissed crown of Tennessee.  This is Nathan, filling in for a piece while Allyson takes some down time.  We won't enjoy too many days this year prettier than Saturday, April 26--been stellar since before sunrise.

We paid our dues on Friday, however, with 0.44 inches of rain.  To be fair, we probably needed the rain as we're slightly below average in the precipitation column in East Tennessee this year after a soggy 2013.  The high temperature reached 54 with an overnight low of 32.

Last night, a choking fog enveloped the lodge after the rains abated.  The fog made the paths between the cabins tough to navigate as the gray swallowed the paltry illumination from headlamps.  Sunrise proved spectacular.  Several guests got up early to scout out Myrtle Point for sunrise and were richly rewarded.  The movement of their headlamps in the predawn darkness looked like lightning bugs flitting around camp.  The sun has been our constant companion since.

There has been a flood of dayhikers visiting the lodge Saturday.  They're donning smiles, wisely aware of their good fortune and enjoying perfect conditions for a hike.  The good folks in the corporate office below will be glad to know we're selling more than a few t-shirts today, which should pay for plenty of llama chow.

On my drive back to work after recent off days, I like to travel by the river between Townsend and Elkmont, then over to Sugarlands and up LeConte.  Just after a steady rain, the Canada geese patrolled the shoulders of the road, as the worms had to make the fateful decision to face drowning or surface and try to evade hungry beaks.  Our guests will eat far better than the geese tonight.

The forecast for Sunday is also favorable.  Come on up and see us.  Happy trails.