December 11th, 2022

Sunday, December 11th, 2022

Good Morning, Folks!
It would appear that we have another foggy day in store for us up here on top of the mountain. I suppose that I was being overly optimistic to hope that Mother Nature might offer us another day like yesterday!

The current temperature at 7:00 AM is 42 degrees. I mosied up to Cliff Tops at about 11:00 AM yesterday morning and was rewarded with an awesome view. The skies were perfectly clear over Tennessee—North Carolina was all socked in with clouds. The north side of Clingman’s Dome was clear with the tower on top visible. I may have had the best view of Chimney Tops that I have seen from Cliff Top. I relaxed in the bright sunshine and just took it all in.

I returned to the lodge and met two ladies who were enjoying the sunshine and their snacks. They were locals from Lenoir City and South Knoxville. The lady from Knoxville confessed to being originally from Kansas. She was born in the hospital in Beloit, Kansas. Only thirty-five miles from the farm where I was raised. That’s where I was born! She also knows and hikes with David Smith, who I know, and who was Appalachian Trail Chaplain in 2014. I was the Appalachian Trail Chaplain in 2015. It’s a small world! They said that they were “regulars” and promised to be back again to see me soon.

I hope that you have a Super Sunday!

HAPPY TRAILS!!
WILDCAT/Bert