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June 19, 2013

6/19/2013

 
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After a rainy couple of days, sunset last night was a welcome treat.
The weather broke during supper last night, much to the delight of our guests.  After the rain moved out we were treated to blue skies with a nice autumn feel to the air.  The high reached 56 with a low of 47.

After registering 0.81 inches of rain Monday, we added another 0.92 inches Tuesday.  During breakfast announcements when I gave yesterday's weather conditions, some of the guests scoffed that they "only" hiked up in 0.92 inches of water.  I think they wanted me to move the decimal after their soggy ascent.  They had beautiful weather for their return trip, however, as the summit of LeConte is currently sitting under mostly sunny skies.

Our fellow crew members Beau and Courtney had to adjust their outdoor wedding plans yesterday, but I've heard good reports on the indoor celebration.  We're all excited about their return to LeConte and look forward to plenty of stories.  With so many of our crew members attending the wedding, we were surely glad to see former assistant manager Henry Neel come up to lend a hand.  It's always nice to have Henry on the mountain for a visit.

On the subject of weddings, John and Bonnie Northrup, members of the LeConte Lodge crew from 2010-2012, just celebrated their first wedding anniversary.  I'm beginning to think it's something in our wonderful LeConte water.  Feel free to fill up your water bottles from the blue spigot by the office if you hike up.  That water is treated and ready to drink (I just can't guarantee you won't be planning a wedding next June).

Turns out LeConte is not the only spot in East Tennessee with recent bear activity.  I read in the Knoxville News Sentinel that a bear had been spotted on the University of Tennessee campus (my alma mater) on Saturday, June 10 about 11 p.m.  I saw a lot of interesting things on campus Saturday nights around 11 p.m., including some hairy omnivores with questionable manners--but never a bear.

The bear was spotted in a tree near UT's Panhellenic Building, where Tennessee's sorority women hold their meetings.  Perhaps the nightlife in the Smokies was a little slow for the bruin.  According to the article, the bear was captured and relocated to the Cherokee National Forest, which is beautiful and has a less stringent ACT/SAT score entrance requirement than UT.  However, I remember lots of nice scenery around the Panhellenic Building, too.

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"Love is a burning thing, and it makes a fiery ring.  Bound by wild desire, I fell into a ring of fire."  -- "Ring of Fire" by June Carter and Merle Kilgore.
In honor of Beau and Courtney's wedding, this is the only legal "ring of fire" (fires being prohibited and all) I could find on Mt. LeConte.

Have a fine day.  Happy trails.
Kent
6/19/2013 08:49:33 am

Bummer about the wedding plans getting altered by the weather. But I send my congratulations to the newlyweds. I hope they have a very happy life together. :)

I'm happy today because it looks like I'll be able to get back down to the Smokies the third week in September. I didn't think I'd make it again until next year. Can't wait to summit my favorite mountain again. Perhaps I'll stay in the shelter this time out.

Jennifer Litz
6/19/2013 08:50:41 am

Oh yes, there is something in LeConte water! In just 1 week, My Steve and I will be exchanging our vows on Myrtle Point! YAY for LeConte Weddings! and Congrats to everyone!

carolyn boone
6/19/2013 10:54:59 am

It was soooooooogood to see Bonnie and John's name again.I have missed them so much and wish they were back in God's Country.Would it be safe to ask where they are now?

Mary F
6/19/2013 02:27:26 pm

Carolyn, you can follow John's travels on Facebook, Smokies Stories and Glories. He posts absolutely beautiful pictures of hiking spots, flowers, etc.

Pat N.
6/24/2013 06:44:38 am

John and Bonnie are closer than you think and have not drifted too far from the mountains. If you're in Gatlinburg, just at the edge of the entrance to the park, you can visit John at NOC. I'm sure he'd love to see y'all and fill you in on the details of their lives off the mountain.

Debi
6/19/2013 11:00:34 am

Already have a wedding in the works for my daughter on August 17th but it will be in Michigan. I will make sure and fill my bottles for her. Hehe!

Bec
6/19/2013 12:53:45 pm

Congratulations to the happy couple!
Rebecca & Don

Leigh
6/19/2013 01:17:01 pm

Congrats to Beau & Courtney! Happy 1st Anniversary to John and Bonnie too! I've been thinking about them this week with all the wedding talk. Can't believe it's already been a year. Time flies when you're having fun.

Steve H
6/19/2013 03:11:52 pm

My wife and I stayed last night at the lodge with her uncle. We got pretty wet on the way up Tuesday but enjoyed our stay immensely. The weather was much better today and sunrise was awesome. I want to say thank you to the entire crew including Henry but want to send a special thank you to you, Nathan. Your customer service orientation and enthusiasm are a gift! Keep up the great work!!!

carolyn boone
6/19/2013 03:20:30 pm

Thanks Mary but I'm not on Facebook.Do you think I might be able to get his e-mail address?I was checking LeConte on line store and it was good to see John in the wind breaker.I got to meet Bonnie in Sept.11,2011.She was making some GOOD LOOKING COOKIES but she was nice and took some photos of us.

Grayson
6/19/2013 09:06:00 pm

Congrats to the Newlyweds, and especially to Beau for that rockin beard. Job well done!

Hellguy56
6/20/2013 06:45:29 am

The Cherokee National Forest also has less stringent backcountry camping regs. It is free to sleep on the ground there.

Linda M
6/20/2013 08:41:26 pm

We made it to the top on Tuesday! Our first timer kids & grandkids made up in Trillium Gap Trail in record time in the rain & wind! Us older folks took quite a bit longer! Beautiful day Wednesday for our grandson's (Matthew) birthday. He spent his 22nd birthday exploring the mountain! Thanks to all of the crew for making our stay up top so great. Special thanks to Caroline for making a great birthday cake which everyone enjoyed (it was so big, we shared it with the other visitors to LeConte Lodge)! A wonderful time that we will never forget with family & friends!


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