Final Farewell

11/24/2014

I have been struggling with what kind of picture to post for my last High on LeConte entry. I decided on a picture of current and past crew members all sitting down together to enjoy Mountain Thanksgiving. This picture speaks volumes about what this mountain is all about. Community. Yes, this mountain is beautiful and makes you feel at one with nature. Yes, the rustic charm of the cabins makes it an experience like no other. But the people you meet and the memories you make while visiting the lodge is what ties it up in a neat little package. I will remember the stunning sunsets, the 37" of snow, the cute little fawns running around camp, the front steps turning into a water fall, and the countless picture perfect, blue sky days. The thing I will remember the most fondly are the crew we have worked with for the past twelve years and the amazing guests that we have connected with over twelve seasons.

I realize some of you are wanting to know trail conditions. We experienced high winds all day yesterday. The high temperature was 42 with a low of 37. The ice is melted, but I can not speak about downed trees. We should know more today. It is currently sunny but windy. Please, be careful out there.

So, it is time to say farewell. I am going to pass the blog on to Ruthie in the morning. I am sure Chris and I will see a lot of you on the trails. We have not hiked our last hike to Mt. LeConte. Peace to you all and Happy Hiking.

61 Comments

Barbara

11/24/2014 12:42:48 am

"May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face...."

Many thanks for all you have done.

doug y link

11/24/2014 12:43:17 am

Well stated Allyson. Best wishes.

Mamaw B

11/24/2014 12:43:54 am

You two will be missed but Leconte Lodge will go on. Yes, it will be different without out. Happy Thanksgiving and may you be blessed in all you do. A heartfelt thank you.

Gina

11/24/2014 12:45:03 am

What an awesome way to end your final year on the mountain. Im gonna miss your posts Allyson. I wish you and Chris well on your next chapter. I can only imagine how hard it is to let go. But like you said you will be back!!!!! Safe travels

Sharon P

11/24/2014 12:46:04 am

Happy trails to Chris and Allyson. Thanks for all of your beautiful photos, stories and support for the hikers. You will be missed.

Check

11/24/2014 12:50:52 am

Best wishes!

gloria & bill link

11/24/2014 12:59:53 am

thanks to you and chris for making our 2 hikes and overnight stay so memorable.. you and your staff ROCK!!!!!

Mary Anne sheffield

11/24/2014 01:05:53 am

Until we meet again. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and helping to give us a connection to this mountain and the nature surrounding it. You will be missed and they are going to be hard shoes to fill. Best of luck in your new adventures.

Renate

11/24/2014 01:07:53 am

you will be greatly missed Allyson, I have enjoyed your posts and pictures all these years! Safe travels to you and Chris and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and the crew! Thank you for all that you and Chris have done all of these years! God Bless You Both!

Rick

11/24/2014 01:17:27 am

Best wishes everyone,see you all next year.

Caitlin W.

11/24/2014 01:17:31 am

I will surely miss your smiling face on the mountain Allyson, and Dave will miss your no-bake cookies when he is attempting his crazy feats on his favorite mountain. It won't be quite the same to beg cookies off of anyone else :). On the bright side...see ya around town!

Norm

11/24/2014 01:27:36 am

Thanks for all your work and service over the years.

Charlie Brady

11/24/2014 01:28:15 am

Chris and Allyson, I will miss seeing you both at the Lodge. Both of you became synonymous with my Leconte experience. Best wishes for the future to you both!

Ronette

11/24/2014 01:31:56 am

Thank you both for helping to make LeConte the joy that it is! Best to you in all you do!

Patty Stevens

11/24/2014 01:35:35 am

Best wishes on your new adventures, you will be greatly missed, we started hiking 11 years ago and didn't miss a year, you and Chris are all part of our memories and will continue as I am sure we will meet up again. Thank you for all you have done to keep this mountain as special as the two of you.

Paul Owen

11/24/2014 01:38:15 am

Thank you both for always making our favorite mountain a wonderful experience. Best wishes going forward! Happy Trails!

IN Tony

11/24/2014 01:38:40 am

Thanks for the coffee and lunches over the years.
A special thanks to Nathan for allowing my wife and I to use an unoccupied cabin to change into dry clothes on a rainy day hike a couple of years back. Rain gear just didn't cut it that day!

TwistyP

11/24/2014 01:41:16 am

It was a pleasure to share the mountain with you Chris and Allyson. My first stay up top this past April was unforgettable, in large part due to your expertise and dedication to your work. Ruthie has some pretty big shoes to fill but I'm sure she will excel. Best of luck in your future endeavors and I look forward to running in to you on the trail or in town. Cheers!

Lori

11/24/2014 01:48:27 am

Nobody likes goodbyes. So, congratulations on your new adventure!!! Somehow, the mountain I see from my back porch every day, will look a little different from now on.
Best of luck in everything!!!

Dick

11/24/2014 02:14:40 am

Thanks for all the memories, pictures, words, advise, weather and trail reports, and the TLC you and Chris have given the top of this TN Mt. Your love for what it all means to you come through clearly. Best of luck!!

Tony Ga

11/24/2014 02:33:03 am

Thank you for sharing the mountain magic with us. Good luck to you and Chris as you start you're next chapter in your life.
Happy Trails!

Susan B.

11/24/2014 02:49:31 am

Best wishes to you, Chris and Nathan. I'm sure we will see you again on our favorite mountain.

Nathan, Jenna will miss seeing you with the llama's. She enjoyed her time this past June with you and Alan feeding the llama's treats and talking with the both of you. And Larry as well.

God Bless each of you. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Bill May

11/24/2014 02:52:05 am

One adventure ends...and another begins. Best to you both. Hope to see you more often.

Missy

11/24/2014 02:53:17 am

It will be odd not seeing y'alls picture at the top of the blog. You, Chris & Nathan have some exciting new adventures ahead. I know you are ready to begin your next chapter and will be every bit as successful in those endeavors.
Thanks to you and the crew for making the Lodge ten times better than any luxury hotel. Stepping off an elevator just doesn't have the same reward as the hike up to the Lodge.

Adria

11/24/2014 03:08:35 am

Good Luck and be well. Maybe we will meet out on the trails some day.

Richard from MA

11/24/2014 03:44:19 am

Thanks, Chris and Allyson, for making the Lodge seem like a home and good luck on all your future endeavors.

Judy M

11/24/2014 03:47:28 am

Allyson and Chris - I was there the day you first hiked up the mtn with Tim to get the lay of the land. Thanks for sharing your friendship, keen observations, photos, and mountain with me, my children and now my grandchildren. It's been delighful and you two have made all the difference!

Nathan, Publish someday, we need your quirky take on life and adventure. You already have several volumes of essays ready.

Pat and Jeanie, It was a pleasure to meet you this year.
I hope your chilly next adventure works out.

Ruthie, Big boots - you can fill them! See you again...

The entire 2014 crew - I've met lots of crews, you're the best gathering of sweet souls - thank you and much good fortune to you all.

JP, Welcome back:)

Larry O

11/24/2014 04:10:12 am

I don't post very often but am a frequent day hiker to the lodge. The entire crew always seemed glad to see me and made me feel welcome. I will miss all the smiling faces of the crew who aren't returning,and the good lord willing and the creek don't rise I will see the rest of you in March. Thank y'all for everything!!!

Scott

11/24/2014 04:17:59 am

Allyson and Chris I never did get to meet you but I read the blog everyday and we love your Olde Virden's Red Hot Sprinkle here in NH . I did get to meet Ruthie when I was there in August for my first stay at the lodge and have to say she was so nice to us. I am sure she will do fine next year and many year to come . But good luck to all of you.

MsChris

11/24/2014 04:40:57 am

I have never been to the lodge itself, but I feel like I know all of you through this blog. Thank you for your hard work, your smiles, and your sacrifices. Whether you go just down the street or thousands of miles away, may your journeys be filled with joy.

Jarrett link

11/24/2014 05:14:30 am

Thank you for keeping me entertained with your daily postings. I have really appreciated it. I hope to one day meet you on the trail to LeConte. Stay warm and travel safe.

Kaye

11/24/2014 05:34:08 am

Allyson and Chris, Wishing yall a new life filled with wonderful adventures. You will be missed on the mountain. Really have enjoyed your posts and your beautiful photo's of this incredible place. May God hold yall in the palm of His Hand. Hope to meet you two on the trail in the future.

Renna

11/24/2014 05:50:46 am

Thanks so much for all of the hard work and love y'all have put into your time on the mountain. It's been a pleasure following the blog and all the adventures over the past few years. This chapter of the lodge's history is ending but we are certain the next will be as spectacular.

Jane T.

11/24/2014 06:06:54 am

Such a beautiful post Allyson. Thanks to you and Chris for all you have done for both the lodge and this very special mountain; your gift lives on. All the best in your next journey. Maybe I'll see you on a trail someday. Happy Trails to you both.

norman

11/24/2014 06:09:20 am

Well said every body!! That spread looked wonderful, will be like the 27th, and wallpaper for today. Wish every body the best God has to offer! And will be checking back every day. Have a great day and next year.

Rick

11/24/2014 08:02:38 am

Thanks for all the pictures and letting us know what was going on. Have fun on your next adventure.

Donnie R.

11/24/2014 08:02:45 am

God Bless to you both, in all of your future endeavours ;)

Brian N bama

11/24/2014 08:08:55 am

I have enjoyed that mountain since my first trip up in oct 2010... in 2011 after I got stay in the lodge, I've been obsessed and have been able to stay up top several times. You and the view always made me feel like I was the only one there. Thank you for being apart kind memories that will last a life with me and my family. God bless and as always HAPPY TRAILS

Danielle

11/24/2014 08:19:17 am

Best wishes to you and Chris in your next adventure. It has been a pleasure to read your experiences on the mountain and enjoy the images you share.

Kathy

11/24/2014 08:34:18 am

You will be missed. I have enjoyed your posts through the years. God speed.

Marrie

11/24/2014 09:15:54 am

GOD SPEED...your blog has been such a treat over the years...you always made me feel a part of the mountain...God bless y'all in all you do!!

Becky Moore

11/24/2014 09:40:58 am

Thanks for all you both have done! Best wishes for your next chapter!

Barbara

11/24/2014 10:10:40 am

Maybe they should have a commemorative tshirt with a picture of you Chris and Nathan on it. You'll be missed and always remembered with love for all you have contributed to memorable stays on the mountain. Hope to see you on the "hill" sometime.

Eric

11/24/2014 11:16:25 am

Nice idea, but then that's placing them on a level above and more important than the lodge, the mountain, and even the Park ! That wouldn't be right. They have each done a good job up there with consistency and devotion. Their memories will serve far more importantly than a mere t-shirt. The mountains are far more important.

Barbara

11/24/2014 01:16:30 pm

Eric. I still think its a good idea in spite of your chastisement. I love the mountains and the lodge too.

Debi

11/24/2014 10:18:16 am

Thank you for all you have done over the years. Happy Thanksgiving!

dan waits

11/24/2014 10:29:10 am

thank you for being you, sharing yourself with us, & for the 12 years of selfless service.

the ripple effect of your life & your years on the mountain will last for eternity.

Storm

11/24/2014 10:36:18 am

Thank you for all the 12 years you have worked hard at. Hope your spices and furniture business do great.

Ronnie and Nell

11/24/2014 10:44:31 am

We can't Thank You and Chris enough for the mountain friendship and running friendship we encountered. Our Halloween hikes will always be remembered. May God Bless

Ken

11/24/2014 10:54:18 am

Thanks for all the great entries over the years . You have been blessed to spend so much of your lives in the jewel that is the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.Happy Trails

T Ferguson

11/24/2014 10:54:25 am

May the Force be with you.

KentB

11/24/2014 12:28:45 pm

Thanks for the blog, sure is fun to see the pictures and read about what is happening on our favorite mountain. Chris and Allyson have done a great job running the lodge- Allyson with the great food and Chris with the great food and spending time talking with the guests and a great job pouring wine. I have been up almost all of the years they have been there, and hope to continue my trips. LeConte Lodge is such a great place, made only better by all the work of the staff
Thanks so much

elktonbrant

11/24/2014 12:34:29 pm

I can't say more than has already been said today, but I do want to add my "see you on the trails" to Allyson, Chris, and Nathan for the kind greetings and treats on our many trips to the Lodge.

elaine

11/24/2014 01:58:14 pm

Allyson, Chris, and Nathan, the three of you will be missed. Many thanks for caring and sharing. You have greatly enhanced our Leconte experiences.

Michael

11/24/2014 03:11:06 pm

Best wishes! I will definitely miss your daily posts but am looking forward to Ruthie's!

Bryan Alsop link

11/24/2014 03:37:18 pm

I've day-hiked up to the lodge twice this past year, my only times to the top of Mt. LeConte, but they were two of my favorite days of hiking *ever*! I will definitely be back many times in the future. I read your blog posts just about every day to stay in touch with what's happening on the mountain. I thank you for your daily blog posts and all your extraordinary service over the years to make the lodge and Mt. LeConte itself the extraordinary place it is. Happy trails in your future endeavors.

Tom W.

11/25/2014 12:10:17 am

Chris & Allyson, sending warm wishes and hopes from the Bluegrass State that your future holds many bright days. I have absolutely loved this site and have enjoyed your many posts from way on top. There is no doubt you all have made Mt. LeConte a much better place during your time there.

Tennessee Girl

11/25/2014 02:22:52 am

Blessing's on your future endeavors. Thanks for all you have done. Loved the pictures over the years, makes us feel like we are right there with you on that awesome mountain.

Gary Wilson

11/25/2014 02:47:43 am

Congrats to both of you for sustaining LeConte Lodge for quite a long time!! To spend over a decade in such a special place is an achievement. It was nice getting to know both of you over the years.

Pam

11/25/2014 02:51:23 am

Thank you for sharing your love of Mount Leconte with everyone. I enjoyed my visists at LeConte Lodge. May God bless you on your new trail in life.

Angie Latour Coffey

11/26/2014 12:57:27 pm

Thank you guys!! Happy Trails!! Peace & God Bless you Alyson & Chris!

Final Farewell

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