January 5, 2018

1/5/2018

Good morning,

It’s currently 4 degrees and windy. Yesterday’s high was -3, with an overnight low of -8 degrees.

Hwy 441 from Gatlinburg to Cherokee is still closed.

--

What was I thinking? Why was I so stubborn? These thoughts drifted around in my head as I walked to see a sunrise, that was unlikely to be there. Grey and inhospitable, the forest around me looked menacing. The overnight low was -8. Cold air continued to blast through the trees around me. The thought of the wind chill made me shutter. Again, the questions came back around – What are you doing out here?

Warm batteries lay deep within the folds of my heavy down parka. I was prepared to capture anything…everything. Protected from the wind, I watched as the clouds transformed into an angry upside-down ocean. Waves rocked across the sky. Glaring into the distance, I saw the silhouette of a mountain. The same mountain that the winter sun loves to climb over. With the ocean above and a view of where the sun would rise. I had enough information to answer my own patronizing questions…

…I was there for the sunrise!

Onward,
Seth

“The secret to happiness is freedom... And the secret to freedom is courage.” - Thucydides

13 Comments

Sherleen

1/5/2018 11:51:34 am

Thank you Seth for taking us out to see the sunrise with you.
God bless, be safe and well,
Onward Seth :-)

Tom Clemmons

1/5/2018 12:20:31 pm

Great reporting Seth. Makes me wonder about myself, and to ask why I am where I am, and what beauty I myself may be overlooking.

Beverly

1/5/2018 01:04:37 pm

First comment of this winter season. Seth, you are succeeding so well at bringing the beauty and cold sensations of LeConte to everyone down below. In today's photo, just to the left of the sun, there is a "UFO"? It looks a little like the special effects in Close Encounters movie---I thought so anyway.

P.D

1/5/2018 01:25:06 pm

Seath one of the absolutely best pictures of the season a face seems to jump out at you like I’m here who am I simply awesome 👏

Ken Schmitt

1/5/2018 01:36:24 pm

Look forward to your post every day. Great pictures and words. Did get to spend the night some years ago. Many day hikes in October.

TAF

1/5/2018 01:50:16 pm

Each day you provide a picture that is more amazing than the day before! Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you.

Ann

1/5/2018 02:18:03 pm

Beautiful.

Richard Hatten

1/5/2018 05:38:20 pm

Hey Seth; This morning about 7:30 I stepped out on the rooftop at work (Murvul) taking my usual gaze to the sunrise. I spoke outloud "Seth are you getting this", you did. Thanks for your efforts to share the WEALTH!

Yaya

1/5/2018 09:00:44 pm

Purple Mountain Majesty, God shed his grace on thee.
Proud you had the courage to March in the dark, and bitter cold.
Fabulous pictures - stunning
Prayers for health, safety, and a warm peace.

David Mixson

1/5/2018 09:06:11 pm

Winter caretaker Regina Perotto in 1982, from Miami, Fl, sent a postcard to me, writing that it was minus 32 one morning.

Lesley Collins

1/5/2018 09:12:30 pm

Your photos are gorgeous! I enjoy seeing them and reading your comments. You are a braveheart up there in your daily routine and frigid temperatures.

Jim Matheny

1/6/2018 03:58:11 am

Seth,
I love the writing, photography, and video in your daily posts. I have one suggestion/request: include the time. I do not see an automatic time stamp on the posts, just the date. “It’s currently 4 degrees and windy at 8 a.m.” would add some much-appreciated context. Keep up the good work! Thanks for all you do. I’ll be reading. -Jim

Fred Bowman

1/7/2018 09:17:32 am

Seth,
Great photos and descriptives. Thank you for braving the elements to capture what most of us will never experience. Thanks for taking us along.

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January 5, 2018

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