the love we need is right under our nose.

All one to me - sandstorm or sunshine I am content, so long as I have something to eat, good health, the earth to take my stand on, and light behind the eyes to see by. Abbey

Morning y'all,

It's another gloomy morning up top. The high yesterday reached 42 degrees. The low was 32 degrees. It was 41 degrees and mostly cloudy up top at 7am observation. The mountain received .13 inches of rain yesterday. Coupled with high temperatures, this has melted all the snow and a majority of the ice. The trails are sure to be saturated today, so be ready for some mud!

It is one of those Smoky Mountain days where one can never quite tell whether it is morning or evening. The light is shifting in the wind with an apocalyptic fury. The winds' forever wail coupled with the mysterious scurryings on my cabin roof make for a strange paradise. These are the kinds of conditions that remind me about how we are all just visitors here, the plants and bugs and real mammals are the only ones who can truly call such a hostile place home. We need to take this seed of humility and let it flower into reverence, treating these places with the love and respect they deserve.

Much thanks to my friendly trail angels yesterday! Your holiday treats are so greatly appreciated. I am a lucky guy.