It definitely feels like fall on the mountain. It is currently 40 degrees. The high yesterday was only 60. The skies are clearing up and we are getting those beautiful views that fall brings to the upper elevations. It was a such a pretty day that John decided to run out Boulevard to Newfound Gap and did it in 57 minutes. As far as I know, that is a record for running out the Boulevard. Way to go John.
Not much sun to speak of yesterday. The high was only 61 degrees. It was still a good day for a stroll. Chris and I put on our day packs and headed for Rocky Spur. Cloudy days like yesterday are great for keeping your focus close to home. We enjoyed checking out the ferns and the last of the wild flowers. I got a kick out of seeing the rock cairns that someone had pile on the sign. They must have gotten bored while waiting on the rest of their party to catch up. There were not any views to be seen on Rocky Spur. We did notice that a few sand myrtle had come to life. It seemed as though they were the last to the party. I guess these little blooms did not realize the party was a few months ago. 
It is a cool rainy morning on the mountain. The low last night was bag down in the low 40s. The high yesterday was 60. It looks as though the rain is setteling in for the day.
The Jewelweed is starting to bloom around the lodge. We have the beautiful yellow with orange dots and the plain yellow type. I have always known these at "touch-me- not". They are great to use for poison ivy. The mountain folks have been known to pulverize the stem and put them in ice trays with some water. Keep them frozen and when you need it, pull them out and let the ice cube melt on your poison ivy. Poultices and salves from Jewelweed are a folk remedy for bruises, burns, cuts, eczema, insect bites, sores, sprains, warts, and ringworm. It is a great medicinal plant. 
The storms never came to fruition yesterday. Most of the day was mild with clouds passing through. The fog settled in just about the time sunset would be happening. The high yesterday was 62 with a low of 52. It was a relatively quiet day up top. You can tell that school is back in session. There are not as many kids playing hide and seek.
It won't be long until the crisp fall air moves in. I know all of you football fans are looking forward to football season starting up. It certainly feels like it up here. 
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn."- John Muir
Yesterday was what dreams are made of. The high was 64 and it was a gorgeous day to go for a hike. We took a stroll down Trillium for a couple of miles. The flowers up top were in full glory. The sun was shining and warmed our faces. The trail was quiet and we listened to the sounds of nature. We did see two of our guests who were staying two nights. They decided to take a hike to Brushy Mountain and eat their lunch. Not a bad place for a picnic. Beats any views you could get in Gatlinburg. The days are getting cooler. My favorite time of the year is right around the corner. Our low temperatures have been in the mid 40s. Remember, if you are coming up to stay overnight, bring some warmer clothes to wear at night. 
If you have been on the mountain during the past week you have probably noticed some construction taking place. Andrew Nigh, our carpenter extraordinaire, is finishing up work on John and Bonnie's home. We are trying to update some of the crew quarters to make them a little more energy efficient. I know this will go along way on those cold November nights. The new insulation was needed yesterday. The high was 58 with a low of 43. That is cool for August. If this weather trend continues it will make JP, our winter caretaker, a very happy guy. He may finally get his snow this winter.
I found some pink Turtlehead flowers so I thought I would share. It is interesting how the different flowers either prosper or they are in decline. I was looking for some Turk's Cap Lilies around camp and can't seem to find any. We had several patches of them in the past and for some reason, there are non to be found. This also brings up the on going debate of what makes for a great black berry season? We were saddened to find that all of the black berry bushes were dried up and did not produce any berries. It was a couple of years ago that we had a booming crop. I don't know if the warmer temperatures zapped them this season. This year was a bad year for Bee Balm as well. Some seasons are better for the different varieties. It just goes to show how Mt. LeConte is forever changing.
Yesterday warmed up a little bit. The high was 69 with a low of 48. Today is starting out cloudy and chilly. I believe the weather forecast is going to be correct today. They are calling for showers through out the day.  "Art is the unceasing effort to compete with the beauty of flowers - and never succeeding."- Gian Carlo Menotti
The rain splattering my window gave these coneflowers a different feel. I am always looking for a unique way to capture the same view. The rain started last night around dinner time and continued into the early morning. My alarm was a crack of thunder. We received .35" of rain during the night. The high yesterday was 64 with a low of 48. 
Grass-of- Parnassus
I came across a patch of grass-of-parnassus while hiking a little bit of the Boulevard yesterday. I know I already shared one picture of this amazing flower, but it takes my breath away everytime I see it. If you get a chance to see it while hiking up the mountain, stop and take a moment to enjoy its beauty. It is not a common flower to be found in this part of the United States. You will mostly find them in the northern part of the country.
Yesterday was another cool day. The high was 63 with a low of 47. The llamas made an extra trip up the mountain to deliver bring us more supplies. I know they appreciated the temperatures cooling off a little. 
I had hoped to get some good pictures of the meteor shower but they did not turn out. Chris and woke up at 5 am and watched a few shoot across the sky. All I could think about was how cold it was in August. The low last night was 43. I will say that it was beautiful night for watching the sky. We had a good day yesterday. The clouds were in and out and the temperatures hovered in the low 60s. The flowers are still in full bloom. Chris and I got out for a little hike to Rocky Spur. We were commenting on the fact the days seem to be getting cooler. I guess autumn is just around the bend.
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LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
December 2024
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