it's a strange paradise.

12/3/2014

Truth is his inspirer, and earnestness the polisher of his sentences. Thoreau

Morning y'all,

It's yet another blustery, foggy day up top. The high yesterday reached 42 degrees and the low was 39 degrees. It was 40 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received .24" of liquid precipitation throughout the day yesterday. There is no more snow left up top and very little ice remaining on the trails. The ground is still rather saturated, so be prepared for wet shoes unless you have something 'waterproof'.

I spent a lot of time yesterday relaxing on the porch. There's something about these misty foggy rainy days that affect your bodily rhythm, calling for you to wrap yourself in a blanket with a good book and forget that you live right next to a number of fantastic trails, all beckoning you to join them for an experience. I've spent my share of days exploring here in less than ideal conditions and I love it... but there's also something about saying 'Tomorrow.' that is rewarding in it's own way. I'll always look back with joy and reverence on my more gung ho days in my early twenties, when I'd ride a bike through any sort of conditions because that is just what I did... but it is nice to have balance, to know when to back off and be able to savor both extremes with the loveliness of contrast.

doug y link

12/3/2014 03:00:57 am

Relaxing up at the lodge on such foggy days is truly one of the best parts of being there for me, and with good book or two. "A writer only begins a book, a reader finishes it. (Samuel Johnson)

Jarrett link

12/3/2014 03:20:58 am

With a view like that, I can see see the appeal of just relaxing on the porch. Not a lot better than a view and a good book.

Curtis

12/3/2014 03:36:25 am

I get the title of this post. I love that song so much. Thanks so much for your daily updates and pictures from the mountain. I look forward to reading them every day.

Terry

12/3/2014 04:53:05 am

JP, paradise is always "strange," we wouldn't notice it if it wasn't.

Lester

12/3/2014 05:22:22 am

JP, we look forward each day to seeing your inspirational pictures, as well as reading your thought provoking comments. Thank you for allowing us to escape, at least for awhile, each day into the mountains.

Shaffer

12/3/2014 05:56:23 am

the mother mountain has given me a sign of good faith…….in actuality I truly believe that this feeble, young , and innocent bob-kitten creature that prowls around is really the embodiment of the mountain and her visual acknowledgment that she is among us all, and wanders to and fro, keeping watch over me like a mother, yet she is still fun and playful like a kitten………she is all things to me……….she is Leconte.

Edgar

12/3/2014 06:32:05 am

Yes, a bobkitten is a thing of beauty, but is it still a bobkitten ! It can't be the same one from last year as it would now be a full grown cat ! Growwwwwllll !

Dan in Chattanooga

12/3/2014 08:36:32 am

Enjoy your post JP! Just curious, is there an amatuer radio on the mountain. I seem to remember that one of the old owners named Herrick Brown used to maintain a station at the lodge. Also, I am curious about your internet connection. I assume you use a cellphone for all your posts and pictures. I just wonder how you stay in touch with the rest of the world. Thanks, Dan

Franklin

12/3/2014 11:38:21 am

There's a real dream like quality to today's photo. Beautiful. I almost feel like I'm flying looking at it. Thanks JP

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it's a strange paradise.

LeConte Lodge

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