Colors of the Mountain

9/16/2013

I took a stroll around the mountain top to enjoy the many colors that really pop when the air is so clear. I ended up at the helicopter pad and just stared at the awesomeness as the clouds rolled in and out. It has been so long since we have enjoyed days like this that I just wanted to take it all in. The grass provided a soft pallet to lay my head as I listened to the birds sing around me. It sounded as though they were enjoying the glorious day as well. The high was only 60º with a low of 49º. Fall is definitely in the air and it is beautiful.

Eric McCarty link

9/16/2013 12:53:02 am

Nice! Looking forward to seeing some fall pictures over the next few weeks. Let's hold off on the snow for a few more weeks!

al on the beach in Biloxi, MS

9/16/2013 07:43:54 am

Hey, Allyson... the helicopter pad gets mentioned ever so often...
Next time I'm there I'd like to find it. Would you please tell us how to get there?

Helichooper

9/16/2013 11:44:10 am

Follow the helicopter.

doug y link

9/16/2013 01:26:53 am

I am in agreement with tom k's remarks from yesterday regarding radios up at the lodge. I am certainly not one to make any sort of judgment on that; people have every right to bring whatever they wish along with them. For me, however, the peace and atmosphere of being up on that mountain is quite enoughj for my desires. G'day

Susan B

9/16/2013 02:03:38 am

Ditto that Doug. I live here in St. Louis and hiked a great trail Saturday. I love listening to "God's music" as I put it. There was a woman with her cell phone - radio on. Needless to say, i tried to keep distance between us.
Seeing Allyson's pic and her note about laying her head on the grass, I would love to do just that. It's given me a chuckle - chiggers have been horrible. Two weeks ago sat in a patch, just got rid of that and Saturday I must have brushed up against a bush. I just can't get rid of those buggers!
Happy Hiking all!

doug y link

9/16/2013 03:31:40 am

Susan B: Absolutely !! I tried to make my comments as neutral as I could manage, for I feel quite strongly about the issue, and, Steve also added to our agreement; I carry a cell phone only in case of an emergency while driving , etc. Otherwise, I can totally do without them; Yeah, listening to one when at an A.T. shelter, for instance, would only spoil the experience of being there; what is so bloody important that one has to communicate like that !? I guess some people simply cannot detach themselves from those devices; it's basically why I'm having to be very patient in developing my own forum-type website: I don't spend a lot of time on computers and such apparatus. Yes, they do have a place in our society today, but thank goodness some of us can still get out and away from them ! Allyson's comment on laying on the grass made me want to do exactly that; anywhere I hike in the Park I can often discover such delightful little spots to do that on. But, with my luck, I can sometimes have many little itty bitty teeny tiny creatures crawling up my legs and arms, hoping to dine on me !! Never seemd to bother me growing up ! G'day all !

jean d

9/16/2013 10:25:53 am

yes, people have a right to bring what ever they wish as long as it doesn't step on other's rights to silence if that is what they wish. Many times folks do not remember that their sound doesn't stop where another person's space begins. Seems that a thoughtful person would have ear phones or ear buds on their radio if they were considerate of other people. I understand a fans desire to keep up with the games our VOLS play but we need to be considerate of the other folks who are around us no matter what activity we may involve ourselves in.
Yep I ended a sentence with a preposition. According to the current English gurus, it is now ok to do that.
Happy hiking (with silence if that is your wish) and GO VOLS.

norman the airborne REBEL

9/16/2013 02:04:56 am

i will have to agree with you and tom k about the reason we go there is to get away from such; i don't care how much you love foot ball!!

Steve

9/16/2013 02:20:19 am

Radios and cell phones should not be allowed at shelters or the lodge. I have dealt with this at shelters and noticed the guy on the phone ended up having the shelter to himself, no one else wanted to hear such while hiking the Smokies. Earphones work excellent because I myself have to keep up with the college scores on Saturdays in the fall!

norman ab r

9/16/2013 02:57:38 am

steve - agree, amen, "?" why do you 'have to' keep up with college scores??

Steve

9/16/2013 03:27:49 am

App St grad so college football is very important, season ticket holder, but you are right I don't have to, just "want to"! Good advice

Debi

9/16/2013 02:39:49 am

Another beautiful day for you all up there. Hurray!

doug y link

9/16/2013 08:03:52 am

The mention of taking cell phones and radios to the lodge made me recall that on my second visit to the lodge, also in 2004, I was guilty of bringing along my cell phone, but which I kept turned off except for a few minutes only to discover that I had no coverage. But I also brought with me my GPS unit and my expensive altimeter - - that was the old civil engineer / surveyor coming out in me; I was interested in some data mainly, out of sheer curiosity. I did log the coordinates at the lodge and up at Cliff Tops along with a very accurate elevation reading at both locations; there's a U.S.G.S. elevation marker up at Cliff Tops to set one's unit by. But now. I wouldn;t dream of taking along any of my surveying gear or the like. Yes, everyone has the right to take whatever they desire, but for me, and I'm glad to see, others, these devices are only added weight in my pack. Pack light, carry light, and make some of your gear do double duty. I had the idea that the modern "M.R.E,'s" that the military issues to soldiers (I had to eat the awful old versions "back in the day") would make good trail food, but after sampling a few of them that a friend gave me, NO, they're way too heavy, even if they do heat up the food relatively well. Yes, this would be a wonderful day to be at Leconte Lodge !! G'day, again....................

kat

9/16/2013 08:27:13 am

Regarding radios I cannot comment. Regarding cell phones has anyone here ever been a caregiver for a parent or terminally ill person? That caregiver needs a little away time to keep their own mental health and that cell phone gives them peace of mind so they can take a break and still check on the loved one and hurry home if need be. After all the person filling in so they can take a me day cannot reach them, but if they can find an isolated spot where they get service they can call and check on the loved one and then turn the phone off and enjoy the peace of the mountain and Gods creation. I for one am grateful for the invention of cell phones because of the freedom it gives people not to be tied down 24/7, and to have a life. That is boody important to me. Walk a mile in anothers boots and you might understand.

Steve

9/16/2013 10:20:48 am

Of course, I am mentioning the people who abuse others privacy, that is why I seldom comment on sites, someone always takes something wrong. Thanks.

Jenny B. link

9/16/2013 10:41:19 am

I'm a hard-core on this subject and I'm prepared to take what arrows come flying my way. How is it that up until recent years we managed to deal with situations without cell phones? When I was 18 I did a four-month hitch-hiking trip around Europe. From time to time I stopped in at American Express offices to send letters to my Mom and Dad and receive letters from them. It worked out fine, and the experience would have been fundamentally changed with phone communications. I am so glad I didn't have a phone on that trip--it would have destroyed my experience of independent adventure. I feel so sorry for families that need constant phone communications. And yes, I do not want to hear someone yakking on a phone when I'm out in the mountains. OK--let it fly!

Linda H

9/16/2013 10:58:13 am

I hear ya Jenny B. !! my husband would agree even more.

norman the ab r

9/16/2013 01:19:20 pm

jeeny b I AGREE ALL THE WAY!!

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Colors of the Mountain

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