December 09th, 2016

12/9/2016

Surely it was a joy to roam the earth with marvels scattered so widely around one. Seneca

Good evening y'all,

I just wanted to post and let everyone know that Grace and I made it back to the mountain safely this afternoon. It was a cold day to hike up, but I can remember few sweeter days on the Alum Cave Trail. We are making grilled cheeses and fighting off the bitter cold (11 degrees!) before a cozy evening of sunset watching and reading.

A big thank you to all the folks who helped us out as we were off the mountain: Gary & Nicole Wilson, Dick & Ann Ketelle, Joe Dehnert & Julie Heaton, Tori Kuehn and the Line family. Every stay had its own character and in a way, it was nice to be able to see some other parts of the Southeast during this spartan time of the year. That being said, we are thrilled to be back in our element at the lodge. I am grateful that it was spared in the fires. We are fortunate to have what we have.

I hope that everyone has a nice evening and we look forward to welcoming you back to your favorite mountain!

28 Comments

Pat N

12/9/2016 04:06:44 pm

Welcome back to the top!

Kathy F

12/9/2016 04:14:33 pm

Welcome back!

Renee Ryan

12/9/2016 04:20:18 pm

Great to hear that you are back up on the mountain!! My thoughts and prayers have been with all of you who have been through the wildfires. BTW, who is Grace? Did you get some company up there?

Aven

12/9/2016 04:23:04 pm

After reading the Q&A from the Lodge Facts tab I have an additional question. Does anyone live up at the Lodge from December to February? Or do you have to winterize everything at the end of November?
Do you often have bear encounters at the lodge?
I have hiked Alum Cave Trail and spent the night up there - absolutely beautiful!

phillip

12/9/2016 05:12:30 pm

Aven, pay attention...JP lives up there as the winter caretaker. I'm sure that after years of dong so that they have a few things that must be winterized. Bears !? It's the Smoky Mountains ! Bears all around watching us ! We are only guests in THEIR domain ! Glad you liked the mountain !

Meg W.

12/9/2016 05:44:29 pm

Aven- JP is the winter caretaker and yes many parts of the lodge are winterized.

12/10/2016 10:38:23 am

Aven,

I am the winter caretaker. There are a few winterized cabins and I rarely see bears up this high. It is cold!

Sandra

12/9/2016 04:24:59 pm

So happy to hear that you are back on the mountain & all is well there! Looking forward to your thoughts & beautiful pics from the top in the weeks ahead. Enjoy!! ❄❄❄

Bob

12/9/2016 04:35:27 pm

Welcome back home!!

Julie

12/9/2016 04:44:15 pm

So thankful you are safe and thankful this beautiful piece of heaven on earth was spared. Stay warm!

Johnnie Collier

12/9/2016 05:16:31 pm

Wonderful news that you are back and that the lodge is safe. Stay warm!

Tanya

12/9/2016 05:30:42 pm

Welcome back home, JP!! So thankful you made it safely off the mountain during the fire...and thankful the lodge was spared. Looking forward to your posts!

Miranda

12/9/2016 06:18:26 pm

So very glad to know LeConte was spared from the fires. I can't imagine loosing this place. One of my favorite places on Earth.

J.Mohr

12/9/2016 06:25:08 pm

Reading your post is great news. We were concerned about you and the lodge. Please continue to post, we thoroughly enjoy reading them
Welcome home

Abby

12/9/2016 07:14:06 pm

So thankful for your safety, and safe return. LeConte is near and dear to my heart, and your winter posts provide inspiration and smiles. The mountains will heal and grow with time. Nature has great resiliency!

Thanks to all the folks who provided you shelter. Best to you.

Tammy (Tx)

12/9/2016 07:40:55 pm

Glad your back on the mountain JP and the lodge is intact and unharmed. Saw some great news today that all the cabins along Roaring Fork Motor Trail were not harmed by the wildfire either. Also, wondering if the fire might have displaced the wildlife. Hope your season is peaceful and relatively uneventful.

12/10/2016 10:36:56 am

Tammy,

I am not the best person to ask about wildlife in the Park - honestly, I see very little up on this cold mountain. I did notice that my 'cabin squirrel' is as rambunctious as ever!

Leigh in AL

12/11/2016 01:02:40 pm

Tammy, thank you so much for the news on the Roaring Fork cabins. I've been trying to find out if they were ok and couldn't find anything.
JP, so glad you are okay!

Ross

12/9/2016 07:56:54 pm

Please report on air quality and smoke. Is the fire still going at chimneys and can you smell smoke?

12/10/2016 10:35:31 am

Ross,

I noticed no air quality issues in the Park. I felt like Gatlinburg still had a plasticy smell to it, but I did not spend much time there.

Jennifer

12/9/2016 08:55:25 pm

So happy to hear you made it back and everything is ok there. I was worried that it has been taken by the fire. I have checked the web site several times. When I didn't see a post I was really concerned. It was like a great burden had been lifted when I checked today and there you were. Stay safe and keep us posted.

Martha White

12/9/2016 09:20:45 pm

Glad to hear you are back at the mountain. Missed your postings. Glad you were safe and had friends to stay with. My prayers go out to the folks in the area.

Sue W

12/10/2016 05:22:49 am

So glad you are OK and that you are back at your winter home.

Bob

12/10/2016 08:29:43 am

Welcome baack!!

Katrina Lallathin

12/10/2016 09:03:50 am

Happy to hear you made it back! Yay!

Gulf Coast Doug

12/10/2016 09:57:08 am

The world is right again. Welcome back JP.

norman ga -

12/10/2016 12:00:02 pm

GCD -- I whished > Glad JP and that world is right again!!

Gary Wilson

12/11/2016 12:37:56 am

Rock on... finally, you can do your thing. Have a blast up there man!

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December 09th, 2016

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