Clifford Clifftops, a.k.a. Cliff, is llama wrangler Alan's favorite. This photo captures the cerebral Cliff in deep thought.
I pass along hopes for a fine day to all of you from the top of LeConte. The weather seems stuck on a consistent pattern of inconsistency--clouds, rain and sun in an alternating fashion. The last several days the clouds have been passing over Mt. LeConte right about our elevation so we're getting a little variety. This morning as I was making breakfast I was listening to "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." Indeed, it was so foggy that I couldn't see far enough to see it was foggy. The temperature has been pleasant compared to the sweatbox some of the nation has locked in. Our high yesterday was 65 with a low of 51. We tallied 0.25 inches of rain Sunday, mostly in a heavy shower before supper. We have measured rain six of the last eight days. After staring down squirrels in yesterday's post, I'll stick with the animal theme and introduce you to Cliff, LeConte Lodge llama extraordinaire. Cliff started working with the llama team the same year as wrangler Alan. He also just happens to be Alan's favorite, which means he sometimes gets away with murder. "He's good about everything," Alan said. "He's the smartest and strongest llama on the farm. If he sets his mind to it, he can get through any fence on the farm. He's also more tolerant of people than most of the other llamas." His full name is Clifford Clifftops. His last name should be plenty recognizable to anyone who's watched sunset on LeConte. He also knows his name. "He'll come running to me on the farm," Alan said. "All the others run the other way." Of course, Alan usually has a treat in hand for his favorite worker. On a warm day when they're working the other llamas will be huffing and puffing, but Cliff just looks at them and yawns even though he's probably carrying a heavier load. Here's to Cliff and a job well done. Happy trails (in Cliff's case Trillium Gap Trail, but you come up any that suits you best). 
Tonya Myers
6/24/2013 08:16:04 am
Please tell Alan his fellow crew member from '94 sends her love!!!
doug y
6/24/2013 08:36:46 am
After spending a week out ion an extended hike on the A.T. throught he Park it's a delight and pleasure, comforting and relaxing, too, to get back to the site here. I believe that the llamas are one of my favorite aspects of the lodge experience, which is part of the reason my favorite trail is Trillium. From reading the posts from the last several days I think I've caught up on most of the happenings up on the mountain. A comment on black squirrels: I saw a large black one while playing golf here in London, KY. I spotted him out on the course two or three times, although I don't know if he might be of the same species as spoken about here. He was a big fellow, too. I don't have much time for golf these days, but someone once asked me why I played such a crazy game. "Well", I said, "when I do I get to ride around in those cute little carts !" These days I am concentrating on my one true pasison, whcih everyone here knows about. But I am troubled by the quickly deteriorating condition of my ailing knees, so it looks like I'll go ahead withe the knee replacement surgery as soon as I can schedule it. I won't let such a trivial ailment hinder me for long. I do want to say to those who may be experiencing similar difficulties that undertaking a week-long hiking trip is not the best remedy for such knees, etc. I should have known better and I admit that impulse and excitement overtook my reason. I'm paying for it now. But, my hike was great. Perhaps some toughts on it later. Glad to read everyone's comments as always. Tony Ga: I sent you an email on the 4th of July hike. Hope everyone has a good afternoon. G'day !
Rexanna
6/24/2013 09:34:15 am
Good to have you back Doug!! :))
Tony Ga
6/24/2013 10:35:37 am
Doug y, we were talking (we as in Brian N bama, Steve D and I, so far) starting up Alum about 4:30 or 5 on the 4th. Debi is staying the night at the lodge with her family. Hope you can join us.
tomk in SC
6/24/2013 02:52:50 pm
Why wait? Why not hike early, have a great lunch, hang out at Myrtle Point have dinner (camp cook at shelter)do the sunset and fireworks then downclimb in the dark?
Tony Ga
6/24/2013 11:18:48 pm
tomk in SC, the time is not set in stone for me. Thought about going up early too. Would be great if you made the hike so we all could meet. It all depends on the weather for us too.
tomk in SC
6/25/2013 12:03:05 am
I usually stay at the Glenstone. The night before I have dinner at The Best Italian Restaurant (Calhoun something). In the AM I walk over to the Log Cabin Pancake house (up #8 on left) then retrieve car and head out. Alum Cave up and down, right?. I would plan on entering the park at 9AM.
Tony Ga
6/25/2013 12:06:09 am
Yes, Alum up and down. Hope everything works out so we all can make it that day. Anybody else up for a night hike?
Larry O
6/25/2013 12:54:31 am
Tony, If you guys don't mind a greenhorn when it comes to night hiking, I would like to tag along.
Tony Ga
6/25/2013 01:22:04 am
Larry O it would be a pleasure meeting you.
doug y
6/25/2013 01:50:02 am
Thanks. I sure am going to try to arrange to go along, as doubtful as that appears right now. I'm like tomk in that I like an early start, but flexibility will rule. If I cannot make it I sure hope your trip is a good one and shouild be.
Leigh
6/24/2013 04:22:49 pm
Bless your heart, Doug! My mom is my hiking buddy, and she needs a knee and a hip. I can't imagine her attempting the AT right now. She's already had one knee replacement, and boy was it rough. Good luck with your surgery! Let me also warn you that it is quite painful, and you'll want to be sure to have someone stay with you to help you for at least a couple of weeks. Had another friend recently who wasn't planning to have help, but when she got home she saw how necessary it was. Hope you're back on the trails soon!
doug y
6/25/2013 01:44:16 am
Yes, I have heard about the residual pain due to such surgery, but I can handle it. The speed with which my knees have gotten 'bad' has aggravaed me far more, but that's life I suppose, Each case is different so whaever comes my way I'll get through it, especially with thoughts of getting back on the trails. I hope I'm as "tough" as I like to think that I am !!
holtknoblady
6/24/2013 04:49:54 pm
Glad to hear that, in spite of the knees, your hike was great. Perhaps more on the hike later? welcome back!
doug y
6/25/2013 01:47:19 am
One thing was that in the first few hundred yards from Davenport Gap I knew that I was glad I brought along a substantial supply of Advil and Tylenol !! I consumed them like candy - - that was essentially my trail snacks ! to be continued....... 6/24/2013 08:50:35 am
Hi Nathan!
Kay Constable
6/24/2013 09:25:56 am
Hi all
Jeff
6/24/2013 09:58:17 am
Contact Marshall's Creek Rest Motel. Small, family owned and books faster than LeConte Lodge so call now. No frills but close to the parkway downtown, clean, heated pool and quiet.
Jeff
6/24/2013 10:06:32 am
Oops..... It's in Gatlinburg!
Mike
6/24/2013 02:08:22 pm
Try Townsend. It's about 15 miles from both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It's a quiet little community with some nice motels and some good restaurants. If you're there, try the Black Bear Cafe for one of their burgers; most of the desserts are home made.
Mike
6/24/2013 10:46:01 pm
There are also some cabin rental companies in Townsend if you're looking for something other than the "motel" experience. The hiking/biking trail goes through the whole town and is a pleasant stroll.
Debi
6/24/2013 11:05:25 am
Clifford the golden child llama of the bunch. I have a couple of favorites with the sled dogs too. Just get that connection better with them. Others tend to ignore me. Unless its feeding time. lol Good to see your back Doug. Get that knee done you have a lot of hiking to do and its probably miserable with a bad knee.
RJnLA
6/24/2013 11:38:43 am
Kay, I would suggest Highland Manor in Townsend. It also is family owned and operated and also just a short drive from Cades Cove if you want to make a run there and fight the traffic. We have stayed there numerous times with no complaints.
Shane S
6/25/2013 01:29:01 am
We are heading up Wed morning for our first stay at the lodge. My wife was asking what is served for supper and breakfast? Looking forward to our trip..
High on LeConte
6/25/2013 06:06:17 am
Shane,
Hee-Haw
6/25/2013 06:23:03 am
Hey Grandpa, What's For Supper?
yanki
6/25/2013 03:59:46 pm
It was %1 Mr hiking writ a book hiking hiking .... )}]> Comments are closed.
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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
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