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June 6, 2014

6/6/2014

 
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Good afternoon from the top of LeConte.

This is a special day for a big history fan like me.  Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Allied D-Day Invasion during World War II.  It's hard to imagine piling out of those flat-bottomed troop transport boats with enough gear to drown you, all the while staring down 100 different kinds of misery in the face on Omaha Beach.

About 10 years ago, I was visiting Philadelphia attending the Penn Relays track and field meet on business for the University of Tennessee.  In between a long break in events, I took a walk down to see the Liberty Bell.  The guide there told me that one of the last times the Liberty Bell rang was on D-Day, June 6, 1944.  The bell, long since cracked, was struck with a rubber mallet to symbolize liberty and independence.

We'll ring our bell (triangle) twice today
at LeConte Lodge to call guests for breakfast and supper.  We'll remember those who participated and sacrificed much on that murderous French beach on that momentous day 70 years ago.

In other news, Thursday saw us enveloped in a thick cloud most of the day with some rain showers interspersed.  Our high was 56 with a low of 50, as the thick cloud cover constricted our temperature range.  We totaled 0.24 inches of rain.

L
ast night we welcomed a scout group from Rochester, Ill.
  It's a challenge to get much elevation training in the Land of Lincoln, so I hope the scouts get a sharp-looking badge for their ascent of LeConte.

Also, congratulations to Oscar, the short-legged llama, who made his first trip carrying weight to LeConte today.  Oscar had made two training trips prior, but Chrissy put a "baby load" on him today for the first time.  He was huffing and puffing a little, as he does have a harder time with the higher step-ups
, but he delivered clean dish towels on time.  He's still a ways from qualifying for his CDL and trucker's cap, but Oscar's getting better every trip (as is his fellow rookie Ranger).

Yet another great thing about LeConte Lodge is its mild and short bug season.  I don't think I've gone through a full can of mosquito repellant in my four seasons here.  We do have some of the winged critters flying about, but they're pretty tame compared to the vampiric insects below.

My least favorite insect up here is the woolly adelgid, a non-native which is res
ponsible for so much devastation of the mature spruce and fir trees in the highest elevations of the Smokies.  The park service has few ways to attack the invaders, and none of them easy, quick or cheap.

I was hustling around the lodge grounds the other day doing chores and broke a sweat on my bald head.  A cloud of adelgids buzzed around my head, and I felt like Pigpen from the Charlie Brown cartoon.  I returned inside to find a mirror and discover I'd drowned a couple of adelgids on my perspiring head.  That's not a particularly efficient method of adelgid control, but we're trying to be good neighbors at LeConte Lodge and do our part.  Happy trails.
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TracyG
6/6/2014 07:48:55 am

Thanks to all our men and women who serve. We owe them much. My grandfather is a 91 year old WWII vet. He still has the most beautiful vegetable garden you will see, and can out work most folks.
Love your writing Nathan. It always makes me smile. Have a great day.

Sharon S
6/6/2014 08:06:33 am

I was so disheartened to learn that all those beautiful Christmas trees on top of LeConte growing from the carcasses of their ancestors will also succumb to the adelgid as they mature. Thanks, Nathan, for your help in decreasing the population. :)

I am so fortunate to work with veterans in my daily job, and many, many heroes live around and within our beautiful mountains. God bless them for their unbelievable sacrifices over the years. And, God Bless America!

elktonbrant
6/6/2014 08:13:35 am

I add my thanks to those who have made, and are making, the sacrifices of protecting our country so we have the freedom of living in this great country.

Tenderfoot
6/6/2014 08:48:03 am

God Bless ALL of our Veterans AND their families for the dedication and sacrifice given on all our behalves. We can enjoy our daily living, this great country and of course our favorite mountain all because of those that have served and are currently serving. I would specifically like to thank Mountain Man Dan and Chief Doug for their service. Thanks guys!!

Sandra Lair
6/6/2014 09:22:35 am

I join you in remembering the veterans who fought so bravely on D-Day. My father and his twin brother were among them. They were able to return to Normandy 10 years ago to honor those who lost their lives that day. They are both gone now. I am so proud of them and thankful for all they did.

Pat N
6/6/2014 09:56:37 am

Hurrah for the ringing of the triangle and what it honors, hurrah for Oscar and bald heads!

Franklin
6/6/2014 10:03:46 am

I too am in awe of the sacrifice and bravery of those men and women we honor on D day. My father was a Navy veteran from WWII. He served on an aircraft carrier in the south Pacific. I served in the Navy also ( Vietnam Era ) on the USS Paul Revere and we carried the landing craft you referred to. I believe they are called Higgins Boats if
my memory serves me. It's been a long time. I do remember that they are no fun to ride in. I felt so sorry for the Marines. Many were sick for the entire ride. Enjoy the day.

jean d
6/6/2014 10:16:00 am

Because D-Day meant so much to our country and because I get emotional over patriotic songs, the pledge of allegiance to the flag and our service heros, today is really special! God bless our veterans and current service men and women and God Bless America!


Comments are closed.
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