High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Aug. 7, 2014

8/7/2014

 
Picture
Good afternoon to everyone.  As she wrote yesterday, Allyson has headed down for a few days off.  This is Nathan, and I'll be filling in until she returns.

Congratulations to those of you who hiked up today.  This is one of the prettiest days of the entire summer.  With a high of 65, low of 48 and hit-and-miss sunshine, Wednesday was nice too--but not as pretty as today.  We've had more uninterrupted sun than I remember in a while.  The clouds seem to keep building in the valley, but they've been slower than usual overtaking us.

The forecast sounds like we might be in for a wet weekend, so make sure you pack appropriately for rain showers.

I noticed thousands of bees this morning while doing my chores around the lodge.  That made me think of a visit I had with Cookie (Huff) Bowling a few years ago, whose parents started the lodge as we know it.  Cookie grew up on LeConte and told me she would catch in a jar white-faced bumblebees which never stung her.


Our assortment of bees also seem to be strident pacifists, which makes them even better neighbors.  We also never catch them as in the old days; they're strictly "free-range" bees.  That being said, it seems like down below the late summer-early fall brings out the meanness in yellowjackets.  If you do have serious bee allergies, remember to bring your Epipen
if you hike.  You might be a long way away from help.

I particularly like to watch the honeybees.  While the above is not a great photo, you might be able to see below the accumulation of orange pollen on their hind legs as they hopscotch from flower to flower.  They remind me of little cowboys toting saddlebags of pollen.  At any rate, the lodge wildflowers are at peak this week--with plenty of beautiful specimens of monkshood, crimson beebalm and coneflowers--a veritable pollen-palooza.

Come on up and see us.  Happy trails.

Sharon S
8/7/2014 08:42:38 am

I'd be interested to hear how Cookie was 'schooled' while growing up on LeConte. Raising a child on the mountain could be one of the greatest teaching experiences imaginable.

elktonbrant
8/7/2014 08:48:42 am

We would've loved to have been there with you. Heat's back in full force here in the Mid-TN lowlands with the humidity to accompany it. I'm glad that the bees are still doing well at LeConte, and I hope they continue to thrive.

Jacob
8/7/2014 10:44:32 am

Great post as usual Nathan. Don't forget to share with us how Mt. LeConte was involved with the Civil War. I am a history teacher and have been waiting to hear the tale. Thanks!

Raz Theo
8/7/2014 12:16:24 pm

Me too.

doug y link
8/7/2014 01:02:07 pm

That's a good photo Nathan. One's eyes are drawn right to the bee's legs. Here at home in London I have several hummingbirds that swarm around my two feeders, sometimes dive-bombing me as I sit on my porch nearby. I wonder if these amazing little creatures are seen around the lodge ? Don't remember any mention of them here but could have missed that. Good evening.

High on LeConte
8/7/2014 03:40:02 pm

Doug,

We do see hummingbirds fairly often this time of year. In fact, I saw two of them today. They really enjoy the crimson beebalm to the left and right of the front doors of the dining room. It's a short window of opportunity for viewing them, but now's the time. Thanks for reading. Happy trails.

Nathan

doug y link
8/8/2014 01:17:18 am

Thanks for your reply Nathan, I appreciate it. I should have guessed that there were hummingbirds up there, and the next time I'm up I'll be looking for them, in the right season of course.

norman
8/8/2014 06:17:36 am

right on Doug y, right on!


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome 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!

    Online Store

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture