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February 22nd, 2017

2/22/2017

18 Comments

 
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I long for wildness; woods where the wood thrush forever sings. Where the hours are early morning ones and there is dew on the grass, and the day is forever unproved. A New Hampshire everlasting and unfallen. Thoreau

Morning y'all,

It's a warm, foggy morning up top. The high yesterday reached 46 degrees. The overnight low was 36 degrees. It was 42 degrees and foggy at 7am observation. The mountain received .12 inches of rain last night. The trails are completely clear, without even a smidge of ice on the infamous Rainbow/Alum junction 'glacier'. Get out and enjoy this wildly warm weather!

I had an impromptu adventure yesterday. I was planning on relaxing around the lodge and stretching, doing yoga and reading my birthday away up top. However, I discovered that with my current drivers' license expiring (yesterday!), I still had time to order a new Social Security card in person. Long story short - I am headed to Puerto Rico after the season and can't fly with my expired license and need to stockpile copies of other legitimate forms of ID. At 11:30, Grace and I hiked down and went to the Social Security office in Knoxville. I was able to get a new SS card mailed up north, so that I will have every kind of identification available to a boy with no permanent residential address. I guess this is the inconvenience I get for not paying rent since July 2011! It wasn't the most exciting birthday of my life, but I will get to celebrate in Puerto Rico after the season! It was a great relief and it felt like I floated up the trail afterwards. We started up at dusk, just around 6:20pm. I strapped on my headlamp, my little running pack and started off at a swift jog. I was full of excitement. It is that time of the season where everything shines a little brighter with the end coming so quickly. Instead of just being another trip up Alum, it felt like one of my last few opportunities to savor this trail I love so much in the pure darkness. As I picked my pace up Monotony Ridge, I was able to see some headlights driving down the 441. Occasionally, I get frustrated by the visible lights up here, but tonight I just thought about how lucky I am to experience the pleasures of the park on two feet. I reached the top with adrenaline coursing through my veins, saw two beady eyes on the homestretch (bear or deer?!?), clapped a bit and my fellow nightwalker ran into the woods. I took a few deep breaths at the top of the staircase, turned off my headlamps and looked up at the stars. I took a slow, dark walk down the main staircase and got settled back into my cabin. I still can not believe my good fortune - it is a gift to live in this park, even in the lightest winter on record. Adventure is what you make it.


18 Comments
Psm
2/22/2017 10:33:30 am

Happy belated birthday and yes you do call your winter home, one of the most beautiful places on this planet!!

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Walter Overby
2/22/2017 10:45:23 am

Great writeup reflecting on how blessed you are. Happy Birthday and savor these last few weeks up top!!!

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Monica Parks
2/22/2017 10:45:28 am

Incredibly jealous of your life! :) How on earth have you lived rent free since 2011? What a free feeling that must be. I'd give anything for that! Love your writing-it always takes me to that special place and makes my day. I savor every entry.

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Jill
2/22/2017 11:12:25 am

Happy Belated Birthday JP! You are a lucky man to spend your winter doing what you love and sharing it with all of us. It is appreciated and I live vicariously through you.

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Peppermint Pattie
2/22/2017 11:45:47 am

JP, Enjoy Puerto Rico ! I've vacationed there many times, and have been all over the island, and Culebra island. I love Old San Juan, even though it's touristy, it's fun to hike the little blue cobblestone streets, and see all the pastel colors, little shops, and the views are incredible ! Go into El Morro, the Fort. Lots of history on The Enchanted Island !
My best advice would be to get out of San Juan if you really want to experience the island. Go out into the country, into the mountains. Seeing the rain forest El Yunque is a must. Also, lots of lighthouses, beaches, and views. Remember, you can't get lost. The island is 100 miles by 35 miles. No matter which way you go, you will end up facing the ocean or the Carribean Sea ;) So much to see and do there. Culebra Island to the east is gorgeous too; a separate island, but part of Puerto Rico..Flamenco Beach is gorgeous, and there are 2 old tanks left from the military there. Lots of snorkeling, and many trails to hike. Bring water ! Enjoy. I love Puerto Rico !

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Franklin
2/22/2017 12:05:34 pm

Hard to wrap my head around you only having 3 weeks left up there. I hope you get to relish every one of those days. Any word on the crew coming up for the busy season ? Anyone from previous years or all new rookies ? By the way happy birthday a bit late.

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Tammy (Tx)
2/22/2017 12:25:02 pm

This is so random. But, I was wondering what state you are originally from JP. You start your daily blog off with "Morning Y'all" and mostly us folks from the south say "y'all". Anyway, I was just thinking that when all good things come to an end, there are new beginnings. Your season on LeConte is coming to a close, but I hope you enjoy your new adventures that await you in the upcoming seasons......and you're back once more next winter! Have a beautiful day!

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JP
2/23/2017 08:46:29 am

Tammy,

I am originally from New York, but I have loved the use of y'all since I hiked the AT in 2010 and figured I should use the local greeting :)

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Tammy (Tx)
2/23/2017 11:15:23 pm

Thanks JP! Sounds good to me! Funny though....I'm a native Texan and since I was young, I sometimes say "yous guys". I have no idea where I picked that up! Ha! :)

Sharon S
2/22/2017 12:36:16 pm

Happy Birthday, JP! You do have one of the best jobs around. I hope you plan to return next winter.

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Donald Robinson
2/22/2017 02:34:27 pm

Couple questions to shoot at you J.P...I'm heading up for a hike in late March. Will there be any of last yrs. shirts left over for sale ?..I'm only assuming it would be way to early for 2017 shirts...And you're a big tea drinker I hear. I have recently became a fan of tea and my favorite thus far is the black tea blends. Give me your top five if you wouldn't mind. Thanks for all you do on this sight ! I don't post often but always follow ;)

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JP
2/23/2017 08:50:06 am

Donald,

I would anticipated that there will be some leftover shirts, but sizing will be limited... The lodge opens for the season around 3/20 and the 2017 shirts will be up by then.

4) Sleepytime - my evening non beer drink of choice.
3) Yogi Ginger - pairs with everything, love love love ginger anything.
2) Celestial Seasonings Wild Berry Zinger - so good. and it reminds me of my beloved huts in the Whites!
1) Yogi Green - I just really like green tea. I am convinced it's really good for you.

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Sue W.
2/22/2017 03:40:15 pm

Happy late birthday! Sounds like a perfect day. Puerto Rico is on my bucket list.

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TwistyP
2/22/2017 03:49:02 pm

You set a gold standard with your post on December 16. But with the combination of imagery and commentary, this post takes a close second.

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Clif
2/22/2017 05:47:27 pm

Thank you JP for all of the wonderful posts ... we were able to climb on the 13th of February up to the top and back ....it was a glorious beautiful mild day ..
had to try out my wife's knee replacement from one year previous... It worked perfectly !!! she had NO pain... we counted 24 handrails on the way down... Is that correct or did we miss count....

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Willard
2/22/2017 05:49:45 pm

I have enjoyed reading your blog this season. (your writing style is to be admired and provokes images as if the reader was beside you on the trips atop the mountain). It has given me wonderful insight into the comings and goings of the ''caretaker' up there. i don't know what the future holds for you and your exciting travels, but I do hope that you are back again as this is one of the most enjoyable blogs I've read for awhile now. Be safe in your travels and I hope you have many more birthdays to celebrate.

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Vicki H.
2/23/2017 04:31:08 am

Happy belated birthday J. P.

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Daiana
2/23/2017 08:35:45 am

I really hope you enjoy Puerto Rico. I was there 3 weeks ago and I hiked many beautiful trails. Besides El Yunque, I did the "abandoned" El Toro hike, which is a lot of fun and nobody is around. I would also recommend Cueva Ventana. The mountains aren't nearly as tall, but the views are still amazing!

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