i'm a-thinkin' and a-wond'rin', walkin' down the road.

12/9/2011

Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of being alone. It has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone. Paul Tillich

Morning,

It was a beautiful day yesterday. The high crept up to 36 and it was clear all day. The low was 10 last night and it was up to 25 at observation. It sounds like we'll have a stretch of gorgeous days on the way. The snow is about 5 inches up top. It seems like it's been cold enough so that the snow wouldn't have melted, refroze and created too many icy hazards on the trails.

I spent yesterday taking care of chores around camp. I finished reading Robert Kull's 'Solitude'. He chooses to live on an island in Patagonia's coastal wilderness alone for a year. He was very focused on exploring his inner self without the distractions of a traditional lifestyle. I am grateful to have read it up here.

I also staked out a position to try to see Bobkitten at dusk. I sat patiently for a few hours near where his tracks have been and didn't get lucky. It looks like his tracks were pretty old, so maybe Bobkitten is more active at daylight than at dusk.

Happy hiking!

Dusk near Cliff Tops.

Tony IN

12/9/2011 12:10:02 am

I once love a woman, a child I am told......Bob Dylan. I love your taste in music and the blog.

Chris

12/9/2011 12:18:52 am

We are headed up alum caves trail this morning packing a few treats for you. Should be there between 12 and 1.

Juanita

12/9/2011 12:18:54 am

Oh my goodness gracious, I can't believe all that snow. It sounds so cold up there! Don't let your tookus freeze! LOL!

Do you consider that Bobkitty may be a cougar? Some people in the Asheville area claim it does still remain, and we hear of credible sightings occassionally.

Terry Wolaver

12/9/2011 12:52:43 am

Bobcats are mostly nocturnal but can be seen in the daytime looking for something to eat during conditions that you have.Snow on the ground makes food hard to come by.Stay warm,good luck.Terry

Bill Yeadon

12/9/2011 01:13:55 am

Yes indeed, I didn't think twice I knew it was alright.
Probably going to be awhile before you see bare ground again up there.

Jean

12/9/2011 01:19:24 am

Sounds good---I'm ordering a copy of Robert Kull's Solitude today.

If you havent already, check out "One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey" Richard Pronneke... when you get a chance. He basically lived his dream, gave up the rat race to move to the wilderness of Alaska where he lived alone for 30 years. He built his own cabin, kept journals of weather and nature and even had some video of his time there.

roger jennings link

12/9/2011 01:21:04 am

I enjoy the daily pictures and post.We enjoy coming to the mountains every year.I would love to see them from your vantage point but because of a bum leg your pic
tures are the next best thing.
If someone could bring you up a trailcam you would see kitty and other critters.

Tony Ga

12/9/2011 02:03:55 am

Didn't Richard Pronneke leave his wife and three kids to go live in the wilderness? I like nature, but I love my family more. I've seen the documentary on PBS before. Interesting, but I couldn't get past the fact he "abandon" his family.

Chris D

12/9/2011 02:32:46 am

Jp, Have you ever read the book Our Southern Highlanders by Horace Kephart?

Patrick Potter

12/9/2011 02:56:31 am

Would love to see some photos of the bobcat tracks if you get a chance.

Jessica

12/9/2011 05:04:43 am

I recently finished the Proenneke book (the first one) and am/was looking forward to reading the second one. Although I found his story intriguing, I would also be disappointed to learn he had abandoned his family to pursue his Alaskan dream. I cannot, however, find any online info to support this. Can you tell me where you heard or read this, Tony? Thanks.

Don

12/9/2011 05:37:05 am

Thanks for the updates. We can be alone without being lonely. I like solitude better, in my case. Have a great weekend JP.

12/9/2011 06:09:28 am

I may stand corrected. I was reading a "debate" on his marriage status, on a page, I wouldn't call official. But after researching deeper I can find no evidence that he was ever married. When I read that he occasionally left Alaska to visit family, I just assumed a wife. I apologize for making such an assumption. Thank you Jessica for making me look deeper.

12/9/2011 06:13:59 am

http://peninsulaclarion.com/stories/042803/ala_042803akpm001001.shtml

Dan Goleach

12/9/2011 09:43:42 am

Thanks so much for sharing your life on top of "old smokey".

Young Pilgrim

12/9/2011 01:25:34 pm

Can any of the day hikers bring JP some apple cinnamon oatmeal? It's his favorite.

Enjoy the solitude, buddy, the loneliness shall pass.

12/9/2011 03:14:18 pm

Thanks, Tony. I had heard "family" mentioned in several articles (and in the book) but in each of those instances, his sibling family was being discussed. However, I certainly had made no exhaustive search into the matter of the existence of a famiy of his own. Thanks for sending the article link. If we can trust that resource, I see it clearly states he did not have one. That's the first specific statement I had seen about it either way! Again, I appreciate seeing the article. With each one I have read, I gain a bit more knowledge of this interesting man. I will now look forward to the "Part 2" narrative. Take care.

Doug Y.

12/9/2011 04:45:39 pm

Hey JP: Perhaps I missed somethng somewhere, but where exactly is NOC, and what do those initials stand for ? I'd like to check out their winter gear; thanks; Enjoy your quotes, too; When I did civil engineering work we'd say: "Give me the tools and I'll move the Earth" (Archimedes); I like to say: "Give me the Smokies and you can have the Earth" G'day.

12/9/2011 10:18:59 pm

Chris,
Thanks again for the treats!
Juanita,
I am not sure. I am an amateur tracker, but it sounds like cougars are a bit less likely so I've assumed it's Bobkitten.
Terry,
Thanks for the Bobkitten info! I'll do a few more nighttime excursions.
Jean, Tony, & Jessica,
I'll look into the Pronneke book. I've seen it around, but haven't picked it up yet.
Chris D,
I've had that recommended to me a number of times. I haven't been able to find a copy yet. I thought we might have one in the Lodge library, but no luck. I'll definitely check into it when I go down to the valley.
Doug Y,
There's a new NOC location in Gatlinburg. It's right near Cherokee Orchard Rd! It is a great spot for a gear shop.
Young Pilgrim!!!
Love you buddy. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Debi link

12/10/2011 12:34:30 am

When did that NOC open up? I was there in Aug. Was it open then?

James W

12/10/2011 02:13:40 am

Morning JP, love the pics as usual! Hope you dont mind but i copy and post them on my facebook page every day for my friends to see! We are tentivly, set to be back up second weekend in Jan if weather permits! on a sunday day hike tryingto get some friends to brave the elements, we will check to see if you need anything!!before we go! we have bob kittens here and they tend to hang with the birds around bushes, thatsa good meal so check out the vegetation late afternoons or night!

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i'm a-thinkin' and a-wond'rin', walkin' down the road.

LeConte Lodge

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