Living in the moment

4/19/2012

"The past is behind us, learn from it.
The future is ahead of us, prepare for it.
The present is hear, live it. " - Thomas S. Monson

It is a new day on the mountain. The sun has risen and we have a beautiful inversion to make as feel as though we are living on our own island in the sky. The grass is twinkling with dew drops, the birds are singing, and the crew is working hard at getting the tang poured in every juice glass. I know a lot of folks that look forward to that tang to help wash down the pancakes. The temperatures stayed pretty cool all day yesterday. We never reached the upper 40s. Last night was in the low 40s. As long as the clouds stay below us, today is looking like a keeper.

I was so fortunate to get out in the east side of the park this last weekend. I did a little backpacking. It was good for the soul. There are so many flowers blooming. I saw violets, several different types of trillium, showy orchis, and my first lady slipper of the season. It was a splendid weekend to be out and about enjoying what I like to call my "backyard". The locals were saying they have already seen lighting bugs. Summer is going to approach faster then we know.

Lindi

4/19/2012 12:17:57 am

Oohhh I wanna see inversion soooo bad!!!! It's beautiful!

doug y

4/19/2012 12:55:53 am

"Island in the Sky", Allyson, is a great description of the lodge !

Linda H

4/19/2012 02:08:28 am

its such a treat to see that "other world" looking inversion! which i havent seen in a looong time at another location . my wonderful husband hiked to your paradise in 2003? i think ,that was before we met,currently on Nov cancellation list & cant wait to make my first trip up. if not in nov ,then certainly next year .

Carolyn

4/19/2012 03:08:06 am

My husband and I will be making our first trip to LeConte Lodge on May 8th & 9th. We can't wait. I hope we get to see a sight such as the one in today's picture.

Debi link

4/19/2012 04:19:11 am

I love the picture! Looking at the clouds from the other side sure is different.
I really need to get myself a little flower book so I know what I'm looking at. I seen you had some flower pics in the lodge that you took. When I go to the flower swaps here all those ladies that know their flowers I'm so jelaous of. I know a few, but the main ones. Could you recomend a small size pocket book that I could carry with me while packing?

4/19/2012 05:59:22 am

Debi: If I may, and not to be rude, I'll mention a small book which I've had for a few years which could be just right for you; Someone else might, though, have a better recommendation; Mine is titled "Wildflowers of the Smokies" and is ~4 1/2" x 6" x 3/8" and I purchased it at the Park's Sugarland Visitor Center; I've made great use of it frequently; It was a bit pricy, but it costs only a wee bit more to go first class, eh !? It was published by the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association; Perhaps somehow you can obtain a copy, or perhaps some similar book; I'll let you borrow mine if you wish.

4/19/2012 11:54:29 pm

Thanks Doug!!I knew if I posted that I would get one of us bloggers to help me. I think I have seen that small book, it has alot of info in it and I would have it forever. I will check it out before I hike up in August. Thanks so much. Ohh, I see Brant posted too. I had one I took on a hike about waterfalls. One of the cabins had it I stayed in and it sure was helpful. Last time I looked I think they were $13.00. Thanks fellow hikers.

Adria

4/19/2012 07:47:22 am

Now that is a beautiful picture. Love the clouds down in the valley and the red/orange color.

Jacque J

4/19/2012 08:59:10 am

So beautiful!!!!!!!!!

Brant

4/19/2012 10:16:21 am

Debi,
I will echo Doug's comment and recommend the "Wildflowers of the Smokies" book. There are a series of the books which also ID trees, ferns, animals, etc. You can buy these books at any of the park visitor centers or at the Great Smoky Mts. Association website (www.smokiesinformation.org). We don't usually take any of the books with us on hikes (though they'll fit nicely in a backpack), but we use them to ID the pictures I take along the way.

4/19/2012 01:06:19 pm

Brant is right Debi, there are other good books available from the Great Smoky Mtns. Assoc as well as at the visitors' center;

tomk

4/19/2012 02:22:52 pm

Does anyone recall the notion of synchronous fireflies? I don't recall where I read it, but apparently at a certain time of the year fireflies in the smokies synchronize their flashes. For some reason I associate that with Alum Cave Trail, but I don't know why. Any others heard this. Apparently they don't synch anywhere in the world but there, or so went the story.

Tony Ga

4/19/2012 10:28:20 pm

There is a YouTube video. I've watch it. Pretty wild.

Kat

4/19/2012 03:36:08 pm

Fireflies appear for about 10 days in early June at Elkmont, go to Great Smoky Mtns, website and type in fireflies. Closer to June they give you the approx. dates. Beautiful pictures Allison

4/20/2012 12:06:55 am

Found it! Pretty blue flowers on the cover and pocket size. $12.95 I was close, and I did see that before. I will be sure to pick one up. Thanks everyone.

Jenster

4/21/2012 06:01:20 am

Thank you for the quote!

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Living in the moment

LeConte Lodge

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