I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.

12/4/2012

I don't feel like I've really seen a place until I've been walking there. Mamaw B

Morning,

It was yet another great day to be out yesterday. The high reached 53 (!!!) degrees and the low was 38 degrees. It was 39 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The ice on Alum has almost completely melted away, save for two tricky spots that don't see much sun. I've heard the weather is supposed to cloud up this afternoon, leading to overnight rains. I'm thinking that it'll snow on the 15th. Just a hunch.

I had the great pleasure of being surprised by a friend on the trail on Sunday afternoon. As I was making my way down Alum, I saw a familiar face from my past season caretaking in Vermont - Mamaw B! I met her back in July as she was thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, becoming the young lady with the most life experience (looking for the most gentle way to say this!) who has thru-hiked the trail! I offered her some coffee at my tent site at Little Rock Pond and she was kind enough to repay the favor by bringing me some treats atop LeConte! One of the most beloved aspects about my outdoor jobs is having the opportunity to meet so many incredible people. I often think about people like Mamaw in times of weakness, they are my patron saints of hiking. By meditating upon the strength and resolve they display in the pursuit of their dreams, I get a boost of courage as I face my next challenge. Thanks for being an inspiration, Mamaw! I hope to see you again soon!

Lincoln foster

12/4/2012 02:33:40 am

Alright i love it thanks bud

12/4/2012 03:00:15 am

LOVE This!!!

Sandra

12/4/2012 03:40:10 am

What an amazing lady! She gives me hope that it's not too late for me to take on new challenges. Love the photo!

Debi

12/4/2012 04:28:04 am

I read the story. Awsome! I would love to do this someday. Have to research it a little more to find a way to go about it. Love to take my youngest son with me. I too met a lady a couple years up to the lodge. She was 71 and I think she hiked 800 miles of it. She had fell and broke her leg, wrapped her leg with all the clothes she had and it took her 3 days to hilke out. Asked if she was going to make another attempt at finishing it. She said No, I'm getting too old!! Thats when I told my son I will hike with him up to Leconte when I'm 71 if I don't get run over by one of those mad dash Christmas shoppers. Take my kid, my husband and hopefully my future grandkiddies someday. I'd even take my dog if she were allowed on the trail. But lets not stop there. Enjoy it while you can. Thanks so much for sharing that story JP

Jacque J

12/4/2012 05:00:41 am

Cool and inspiring story!

Pat N.

12/4/2012 06:02:30 am

What and inspirational encounter! Truly another uplifting day for you. We continue to start our day with the blog and admire your writing and photography! (John's folks and Bonnie's in-laws;) )

Darwin

12/4/2012 06:29:15 am

WOW what a whimp i feel like now, after reading Mamaw B's inspiring report.

some people amaze me.

Tony Ga

12/4/2012 06:47:04 am

Started reading her story on Trail Journals.com. Good story so far.

Terri

12/4/2012 06:59:17 am

JP...thanks for sharing...Mamaw B's story. I feel like Darwin also, (whimpy that is)

doug

12/4/2012 06:59:44 am

Very heart warming story JP. I've always admired the strength, determination, and resolve of my elders and have tried to adhere to such solid philosophies. I won't repeat my account of my first visit to the lodge when an 80 year old gentleman inspired me to continue, but I owe that man a lot. Debi: "You're off to great places, today is your day; Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way." {Dr. Seuss} Stay with your desires and wishes no matter your age is how I feel. The proverbial question of "Does a tree falling in the woods make a sound if you're not there to hear it ?" Well, I say, BE there to hear it. For me, I find many riches there. G'day all.

12/4/2012 10:53:36 am

Thanks Doug, I sooo hear you! Love it! I think I'll get that qoute (all of it) tatooed on the back of my neck. Ha! No tats here, but if I had to do one, and maybe I will, I'd just put one word, "Crazy"

Brian N bama

12/4/2012 09:03:35 am

To be able to get up each day and look out over that mountain. That would be a dream come true. JP, hope you get your snow this year.

Rainbow

12/6/2012 02:51:08 am

I am so glad you & Mamaw B got together.
She was a wonderful hiking parnter with me on the AT, and now a dear friend.
And you were a wonderful host to us in Vermont.
As much as you and I admire Mamaw, I admire you and the life you are living.
Don't you just love it when you have contentment and can see the beauty all around? I feel so lucky!

PrayerWalker link

12/6/2012 09:42:04 am

JP, glad you're back. I enjoyed so very much your musings last winter at LeConte. I followed Mamaw B's journey this year on the Appalachian Trail through trailjournals.com; she's an incredible woman. Great picture of you two together. Don't know your plans for next summer, but I'll be on the Appalachian Trail heading north. It would be great to meet you.

Barbara B

12/7/2012 03:52:14 am

It has been a few weeks since I have "checked" the postings- gorgeous pictures, bringing a feeling of "being' -almost- there
I will look up Mamaw's trail journals, yes, and inspiration-
Hope to hike it !

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I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.

LeConte Lodge

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