December 12, 2019

Good morning friends,

The temperatures ranged from a high yesterday of 28 degrees and a low last night of 11 degrees The current temperature this morning is 28 degrees. We had no inches of new precipitation.

Because of the cold temperatures there is still 1.25 inches of snow on the ground. At the time of this report the skies were clear.

Here is the official report from The National Weather Service

Detailed Forecast

Today Sunny, with a high near 40. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight Rain likely, mainly after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Rain, mainly after 9am. High near 39. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Nights Rain. Low around 37. Southeast wind around 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Wind could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Saturday Rain. High near 40. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night A chance of rain showers before 1am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 1am and 4am, then a slight chance of freezing rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

It doesn’t appear that US 441 has been reopened. Please check the NPS site for any possible changes or updates.

@SmokiesRoadsNPS

Friends yesterday was one of those days where you learn something about yourself. You know we all have our comfort zones and for many it’s difficult to step out of them, including me. I’m comfortable with the things I have expertise and experience with but not so much when it comes to things like mechanical issues or technical equipment. I’m an old school, old guy I guess.

Well a couple of nights ago we had a pretty good storm come through and tussle with one of our solar panels. One that we use to monitor the weather data, and charge the internet hot spot and iPhone which I use to post the blog and for emergencies of course. Needless to say I was very concerned.

I contacted a great guy who is our solar expert, took pictures of the unit and waited for his response. He provided some really good advise and with a little luck and a “lasso” I was able to get it back on line.

The expert’s coming later to perfect the repair, but I really surprised myself when I got it back functioning.

You know it’s really amazing the things we can do that we didn’t thing we could, if we only try.

As a matter of fact this experience here at the Lodge has taught me lots of things about myself.

Someone once said, “the things we learn after we thing we know everything can sometimes be the most important.”

Here’s to never stop learning and pushing ourselves out of that comfort zone every once and a while.

Take care, enjoy life and stay safe.
​
Steve