We're inviting all our guests who are interested to the dining hall Monday from 8-9 p.m. to swap tales. The price of admission is sharing a good ghost story, though we won't be too strict about that if you just want to listen. We'll try to light the kerosene lamps just right and have some coffee and hot chocolate available for you. If we're lucky we might get some howling winds and swirling clouds Monday night. I'm looking forward to hearing some good scary stories, so bring your best.
The wealth of ghost stories springing from the Appalachian Mountains weaves a rich history. My favorite ghost story, and perhaps America's best, regards the strange events surrounding the Bell Witch of Adams, Tenn. I hope our guests will provide some good stories I haven't yet heard. If you're coming to see us and not interested in the story swap, the office will still be open for games and visiting.
In other news, the crew enjoyed Lindi's birthday supper on Saturday. She's been talking about her white birthday cake for months, and Chrissy made it every bit as good as advertised.
Aside from accumulating 0.44 inches of rain, the weather remains much the same as Saturday--chilly and socked in the clouds. Saturday's high reached 51 with a low of 42. I'm surprised about that it didn't get colder last night on LeConte based on reports from the valley. I expect the temperature to fall during the next couple of days.
I heard something funny while I was working in the office Saturday afternoon. Interpretive ranger Mark Pitt was hosting his afternoon talk about bears, boars and bats (among other things). He had an interested group, including a second grader who wants to open up a veterinary shop to cater to injured park animals.
Mark was talking about some animal species which used to live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at some point in the past but not anymore. Further, these animals are not extinct and still exist somewhere--just not in the Smokies. Bison are good examples. Mark asked his listeners for examples of just such species. The second grader raised his hand confidently and exclaimed, "Bigfoot."
Bigfoot stories will be welcome Monday night at the ghost story swap. If you're coming up to see us Monday pack for the weather and stow away some good tales. Happy trails.