i'd rather hear silence than the bells of new love.

1/18/2014

I am afraid that our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and that we have more curiosity than understanding. We grasp at everything, but catch nothing except wind. Montaigne

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful, snowy morning up top. The mountain got slammed last night, winter is finally coming on strong. The high was 23 degrees yesterday. The low got down to negative 2 degrees. It was 0 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received 6 inches of fresh snow, bringing our total up to 9 inches. It's going to be a serious task for the Park Service to get any roads open, so please have patience. Be prepared for intense winter conditions. Enjoy the snow!

norman ABR

1/18/2014 01:36:13 am

JP glad you are getting new snow!! Enjoy

Karla Gebbie

1/18/2014 02:43:20 am

J.P, you are a rare young person that appears to "get" what living is. You do your job and in so doing, you live in the present enjoying what life has to offer. Your gift of words and photos are just that....gifts. You are appreciated.

Robin

1/18/2014 09:23:07 am

I agree with you

Gulf Coast Doug

1/18/2014 02:47:43 am

I'll second that. Too many of us forget what living in the moment is all about...

Bear story executive summary

1/18/2014 03:30:23 am

I have taken the liberty of lightly editing Doug y's bear story: After spending several days at LeConte Lodge, Doug took in the sunset at clifftops before getting a late start down the mountain. A bear followed Doug down Trillium trail. It was scarey Doug is ok.

robert singleton link

1/18/2014 03:57:10 am

bear executive editor- your editing is not needed. we prefer Doug's story.

jean d

1/18/2014 04:18:34 am

Robert singleton---I agree. What good is an exciting tale without the suspense building description of the moment by moment details?

doug y link

1/18/2014 04:58:42 am

Thanks robert singleton and jean d; I appreciate your comments.

doug y link

1/18/2014 04:56:48 am

Well, well, more blog police. I never claimed to be a good writer, and you, sir, had no right to edit my story, which, by the way, is copyrighted.

JanE

1/18/2014 05:25:33 am

Beautiful photo! Just looking at that you know the games were on!!! Glad you got some snow on top of your paradise. They say another "Polar Vortex" is coming through but it won't be as chilling as the first one. Stay warm and have fun!

jean d

1/18/2014 07:11:05 am

Here is a web site that shows smoky mtn pics which make great wallpaper.

http://www.lovethesepics.com/2013/11/fantastic-fall-season-in-the-smoky-mountains-38-pics/

Bryan from Indy

1/18/2014 07:44:42 am

Having not read the bear story, the abridged version did make me chuckle..

Donnie R

1/18/2014 08:55:53 am

Is it me, or is there more harassing posts on here than normal ?? I don't post on here much, but I do enjoy reading them every day. I just hope that as a result of this, that the blog does not have to be eliminated some day. If you don't like certain posts..DON'T READ !
Sad !!! Peace&Love ;)

doug y link

1/18/2014 11:02:54 am

You're right, Donnie R. I posted two stories I wrote, purely for fun as I'm sure the Pulitzer committee won't be knocking on my door any time soon, on my own web site that I myself paid for. No one is obligated to go there and read a word I write. This site could very well be eliminated because of negative comments, but I hope that it doesn't happen. The business here revolves around the lodge and everything it means to all of us who read and post comments here, with the exception of a few. They just want a soapbox to get up on. Isn't it somewhat curious that these disparaging commentaries arise only during the this wintertime interregnum period !? Actually, they don't bother me. I'll bet it's pretty cold up on the mountain tonight ! I've been up there in all kinds of weather when the moon is full and that's quite a marvelous atmosphere ! I watched a full moon go down in the west around 4:00a one morning and was awestruck ! Good evening.

Jennifer

1/18/2014 09:44:27 am

Wish I was there!

Bear story executive summary

1/18/2014 10:06:47 am

I'm sorry

doug y link

1/18/2014 11:05:00 am

accepted.

jean d

1/18/2014 10:23:09 am

Maybe we all need to remember what Flower said in Walt Disney's "Bambi" "If you can't say something nice, don't say nuthin at all" Oops! did I just print that on here? Well, just sayin!

doug y link

1/18/2014 11:13:08 am

hey jean d: You said it right ! "Bambi", eh !? That makes me really feel old. Some of the deer that graze around the lodge often times remind me of that movie; I was lying on the bunk of cabin no. 9 one afternoon relaxing after a strenuous day hike, and had the door wide open. A deer actually stepped right up onto the steps to the cabin. I didn't know what to do but when it got a whiff of me it turned away. Guess I needed a bath !

Dawn

1/18/2014 12:14:21 pm

Bambi visited Doug at Leconte Cabin. I love the image and see another story coming as I have enjoyed The Bear and Skunk stories. I can't wait for my first visit to Leconte which I have planned for next spring! Have hiked to the Bluffs on a couple of trips to the Mountains this year but can't wait to stay up on top! I enjoy vicariously living through others stories in the meantime.

holtknoblady

1/18/2014 03:54:02 pm

We've got a cold week ahead of us in WNC and I'm sure some low temps on Leconte. Hopefully more fluffy snow for you to enjoy, JP. I hope you'll share some pictures of the beauty you're experiencing. It's funny how that total whiteness paints such a serene scene.

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i'd rather hear silence than the bells of new love.

LeConte Lodge

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