Lucky on LeConte; We Survived Friday the 13th

Arizona may have its Superstition Mountains, but we call the Smokies home--and we're lucky on LeConte.  Friday the 13th brought no fear to our intrepid crew members Bonnie and Austin.  After Renee prepared a delicious crew lunch of filet of Transylvanian black cat for good luck, Bonnie boldly walked under ladders and Austin broke every mirror he could find.  Disclaimer: No Transylvanian black cats, ladders, mirrors or crew members were harmed in the production of this update.

Friday proved another fine day.  Our guests were nice folks; not a one of them showed up dressed in a hockey mask like Jason from the Friday the 13th horror movies from the 1980s (and neverending sequels).  Even if the slasher Jason had shown up and acted right, we'd probably serve him, but you wouldn't want to share a supper table with him--interesting but not much of a conversationalist.  If he got unruly, I like our crew's chances, especially on a day as nice as April, Friday the 13th, 2012.  Sunshine ruled the top of Tennessee with a high of 50 and much milder low of 35.

We've had nice visibility down into the valley the past couple of nights.  Peering down into Pigeon Forge (LeConte is too steep to see Gatlinburg from the lodge), we noticed a parade of red brake lights heading away from the mountain.  One of our guests informed us that there was a Rod Run assembled in town.  You'll be happy to know the good folks of the Rod Run have been fine citizens of the national park and kept their cars off the trails to LeConte, which would have certainly resulted in an insurance claim for the ages and a hefty fine from the rangers.  We do welcome all hiking members of the Rod Run to come up and visit us.  We'd be glad to have you.

Enjoy your Saturday.  Happy trails.