December 9, 2017

12/9/2017

Good Morning,

It’s currently 17 degrees and snowing. We have over 6” of snow up top. Accumulation slowed yesterday afternoon, but seems to have picked up again. Our high yesterday was 25 degrees, with an overnight low of 16.

--

I wandered out. This time, in a new direction. The snow clung heavily to the nearby fir. Where was I trying to go? I wasn’t entirely sure. I ventured out to find something; or rather, I was inviting something to find me. My imagination had me convinced that I had just walked through a wardrobe, into the snowy world of Narnia. Hiking west, I remembered a place that would provide an excellent sitting area out of the falling snow. Maybe I would find what I was looking for there?

Sitting still as a statue, I waited. The pure silence was palpable. Suddenly, I found what I’ve been searching for - true solitude. The roads were closed, the snow was deepening, and here I was on the top of a mountain in the middle of a National Park, alone. It had found me. My thoughts were clear and content. I wandered on...

…the snow continued to fall.

Onward,
Seth

We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship." - C.S. Lewis

23 Comments

Doris Sexton

12/9/2017 08:39:09 am

Just wonderful, beautiful and amazing. That is all that comes to mind. Thanks for sharing.

Tom Clemmons

12/9/2017 08:40:24 am

Great post Seth! Keep up the good work!

Robert Loewendick link

12/9/2017 08:54:51 am

Great piece, Seth. I enjoy the insights of those with open minds to the brief chances of solitude in our natural world. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to more pics of LeConte!

Ward Dilworth

12/9/2017 09:10:07 am

I envy you! And I think good old 'Jack' would too! Enjoy that solitude...it is a gift, and a rare one these days.

doug y link

12/9/2017 09:30:28 am

Seth: As many others do, I enjoy and appreciate your photos. And the quote by C.S. Lewis was so pertinent to the late fall and winter seasons. I used to camp quite a lot during the winter months in the Park until, due to budgetary restraints, they began closing most of the campgrounds and now with the slightest covering of frost or snow they shut down the main roads but I understand the safety reasons for these closures I suppose. I recall a wonderful camping trip at the Elkmont campground one early February but I wrote about that on my own site. One can still winter camp out at the Cades Cove campground provide you can get out there, etc. I was also wondering if many hardy winter campers hike up to the shelter above the Lodge and stay there. Well, good hiking to all who do !

Lori@noc

12/9/2017 09:31:06 am

Seth! Stay warm my friend and enjoy your glorious solitude!

Catherine Garrett

12/9/2017 09:44:00 am

Poetic. I don't know you, but I can hear you saying the words...and the magnitude of your solice translates peace to me.

Missy

12/9/2017 10:39:51 am

Jealous. :)

Cliffoflancing

12/9/2017 10:50:29 am

What a beautiful place, you are such a lucky man.

Tammy (TX)

12/9/2017 11:50:26 am

Peace, and quiet, and solitude I find are what I need most these days to feel both physically and mentally well. Everything else I'm finding is a trigger for my newly diagnosed seizures. And, I am at peace the most when I'm wandering around in those beautiful Smoky Mountains. Unless, of course, I come upon a HUGE pile of fresh bear scat in the middle of the trail and just happen to be in an area where I don't have a long sight line around me. My husband will get this! LOL

Jeff Arnold

12/9/2017 11:55:58 am

I was thinking last night about you being up there in the snow with the roads closed and everything. Would be a good place to visit with God. I long for that kind of solitude.

Brenda /Yaya

12/9/2017 12:06:15 pm

Alone, I don't think so - His Presence is Always.
A thin Place.
Joyous.

barrie

12/9/2017 12:58:16 pm

You couldn't feel me sitting beside you? I try so hard to not interfere with the solitude. Stay warm.

Hollu

12/9/2017 01:07:01 pm

Stunning solitude!

Andy Sparks

12/9/2017 01:28:25 pm

Seth, nice post. I especially liked the C.S. Lewis quote. A nice opportunity for meaningful meditation.

Dan Goleach

12/9/2017 01:56:32 pm

Your blogs are great to read, and your photos are excellent. I’m glad you are passing your thoughts on to us all.

Marilyn

12/9/2017 02:55:30 pm

Breathtaking!!!

kim blackwell

12/9/2017 04:58:10 pm

Seth keep up the good work on those AMAZING photos. They are so beautiful it makes you want to frame them and put them up on your wall. I love looking at the sites that I can't be there to see. Thank you so much.

Sandra Keeble

12/9/2017 05:59:54 pm

Thank you Seth, I so enjoy reading your post each day. You have an amazing experience to share.

Drew link

12/9/2017 07:41:14 pm

First, glad to meet you by writing. This post you made today is why I love hiking and exploring, there are those moments when it just finds you, they are the best. Just wanted to articulate how much I am enjoying your prospective and presence. Final question where did you you end up physically today?

Marialice Baker

12/9/2017 07:52:52 pm

Thanks for your beautiful photos, and the comments. I really envy your living situation, being there on LeConte. Maybe I'll get to return there someday. Thanks again.

Don Rentschler

12/9/2017 09:12:12 pm

Absolutely beautiful both the images and the sentiments.

Cindy Peck

12/10/2017 08:39:09 am

Great C S Lewis quote and reference to Narnia. I enjoy your writing.

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December 9, 2017

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