Good morning, It’s currently 8 degrees and clear. We received 1” of snow yesterday evening, giving us 7 inches on the ground. Yesterday’s high was 20 degrees, with an overnight low of 5 degrees. From the reports, I’m hearing on the radio, Hwy 441 is being actively worked on. Keep an eye on the Smoky Mountain Roads twitter page to see when it reopens. Link: https://goo.gl/HikrMr -- Covered and bundled, I was off to Myrtle Point. The lack of sunshine and strong winds pushed the temperature well into negative territory. My coffee, now lukewarm, was hitting the spot. I began my ascent to toward the summit. I followed my foot prints from yesterday’s afternoon run. The bounding steps were barely visible. The wind had reshaped the delicate landscape. I trudged through the drifts. My thoughts soon drifted to yesterday’s run… I was almost to the summit. My breathing, though labored, was synchronized with my cadence. My sunglasses had already saved my eyes from more than one snow laden fir branch. Feeling primal, I broke trail across the summit. The wind was howling when I arrived at Myrtle Point. I quickly staged for sunrise; the hike had taken slightly longer in the snow. Pulling my camera battery from my warm chest pocket, I slid it into the camera and turned on the power. “Battery Exhausted” flashed on my screen. I reached for a back-up battery that wasn’t there. I had left it back at the lodge. Down, but not out, I quietly watched the sunrise and learned my lesson. I was happy just to be there... ...the wind howled. Onward, Seth P.S. – After arriving back to the lodge, I grabbed my back-up battery and marched back out into the cold. The shots above and below were the result. “A man may fail many times but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.” – John Burroughs
7 Comments
Chuck
12/10/2017 10:34:17 am
Thank you for going back and getting your battery. That photo should be framed...beautiful.
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Richard Hatten
12/10/2017 12:44:23 pm
You are having way to much fun. So don't stop!
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Sherry P
12/10/2017 12:50:17 pm
Beautiful photos and writing - a perfect morning!
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Brenda /Yaya
12/10/2017 04:00:00 pm
A true Fairytale realm- luv.
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norman (Ga)
12/10/2017 05:38:43 pm
Seth, you are not the only one to forget back-up-batteries __ great job any way! You and JP must be related . Great photos, comments and quotes. Tammy (Tx), sorry to hear about your newly diagnosed seizures; so wishing peace and quiet for you. Merry CHRISTMAS and happy new year. (to all)
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Tammy (Tx)
12/12/2017 07:30:45 pm
Thanks Norman! So happy I got to know you over the past several years through this site! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!
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Stephanie
12/11/2017 08:59:20 am
You inspired me to buy piñon coffee. If I can’t get to the mountain, I can try to bring it to me cia coffee and other mystical methods. Thanks for the daily photos and narration!
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