Good Morning, Skies were cloudy pre-dawn but quickly broke as both sun and caretaker prepared to greet the day. It was 22 degrees at observation and coffee prep. The winds were up and down throughout the evening, and the rain squalls teased the lodge with intermittent flurries. The liquid precip mostly prevailed, leaving us with 0.71” of rainfall but not without a light layer of powder and frost. 24 hour temperature range | High: 43 Low: 22 The forecast these next several days looks quite favorable for getting outside and enjoying nature. Between a steady mix of sun and seasonably mild temps, what snow remains along higher elevations should eventually disappear. A cool down does appear to be on the horizon sometime Wednesday. If you are planning a trip to the Smokies now or later, it’s important to make note of which facilities and amenities found in the park are currently inaccessible during the shutdown. LeConte Lodge already being closed during the winter months, our situation and what’s expected of day hikers doesn’t change, but it’s still a responsible idea to find out what is happening elsewhere in the park as you visit. Here is a helpful link with tips for following Leave No Trace practices if visiting during the government shutdown. https://lnt.org/blog/5-tips-visiting-parks-shutdown?fbclid=IwAR38ysNhQ6vqc_fDkRsTut1UOMxp8nb_dQPY5tEeVR0GSrFM8HK38IiAJWY These next couple posts we’ll take the opportunity to feature some poetry from lodge friend Ben Spicer. Like many of us, Ben finds unequaled inspiration when ascending the mountain. Enjoy his observations put into words!
——————————————-- I Will Not Stop By Benjamin J Spicer I will not stop I will not sleep Until I top this mountain's peak Where friend with friend can laugh away Telling stories of the day I will not slow I will not rest Until I reach the mighty crest Where cabins wait with restful sleep And purest air restores me deep I will not let my foot be turned Away from where my heart has yearned I know well what lies at stead Here upon this mountain's head I will not stop I will not sleep This is my vow and thus I'll keep For there my soul shall be refreshed With every step thus double blessed
3 Comments
Boyd
1/5/2019 04:19:27 pm
God bless Dr. Laila Jiwani who was felled by a tree recently on Porters Creek trail shielding her son from the tree. Be very, very careful in winds, Seth.
Reply
Lloyd shiver
1/5/2019 07:22:17 pm
Great poem seth
Reply
Yaya
1/8/2019 08:21:12 pm
Wonderful poem- You are blessed
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
June 2024
|