June 5, 2014

Nicholette exploring LeConte earlier this season.

Hello to all of you.  After the regular business of weather conditions, I'll continue this update with the profile of a new LeConte Lodge crew member.  Today belongs to Nicholette Szypulski of Steubenville, Ohio, who is in her first season as assistant cook at LeConte Lodge.

Wednesday afternoon gave us more frequent glimpses of the sun.  We ended up getting some rain, wind, thunder and lightning beginning about 10:30 p.m.  However, it was a pretty tame storm by LeConte standards.  This morning's sunrise was muted, which has since given way to a thick wall of gray clouds.  Yesterday's high and low was 67-51 with 0.32 inches of rain.

We enjoyed a wonderful treat yesterday.  Larry, a frequent LeConte day-hiker, brought up a bucket of delicious strawberries.  Under assistant cook Nicholette's and crew member Jeanie's careful guidance, we enjoyed an impressive dessert of sour cream pound cake with homemade whipped cream and fresh, sliced strawberries.  Jeanie skillfully made the cake using her mother-in-law's recipe.  Nicholette had the hardest job in securing the fresh milk.  You should have seen all the scratches she ended up with after milking those squirrels.

With that, I'll turn Nicholette's profile over to her, who penned it in her own words.
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It's amazing to see where your choices in life get you.  You won't necessarily enjoy all of them, but you still have to appreciate them.  After all, I wouldn't be living on top of this magical mountain, meeting all of these amazing people if it weren't for some of those decisions.

Every morning I wake up to a new and beautiful sunrise, every afternoon the same two deer wander around camp fearlessly and every evening God paints an exciting sunset.  I've even been blessed enough to meet a wonderful man to share these special days with.  Each day holds an adventure just waiting to be experienced.

I understand now why my Pappap always wanted to visit this place.  I only wish he had the opportunity to do so.  Thank you Pappap and Mummum for bringing this place into our lives.  Thank you Mom and Dad for your strength and faith.  Thank you to my family for your continual support in my decisions.  I love you all very much!  I look forward to what's coming next.  God bless and enjoy your adventure!
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Thanks to Nicholette for sharing her story, and thank you for reading.  Happy trails.

Nicholette on a trip to Grandfather Mountain earlier this year.