_Morning y'all,
It's another beautiful, wintry morning up top. The high yesterday reached a brisk 17 degrees. The overnight low was 12 degrees. It's currently 14 degrees and overcast, some light flurries falling intermittently. The mountain received 2 inches of new snow, bringing our total up to about 3 powdery inches. The trails are still quite slick, I would recommend some sort of traction devices. US 441 is currently closed, but it sounds as though the Park Service road crews are doing their best to open it up today in spite of more snow in the forecast. Check out the roads' status on the Park Service's twitter feed. It's almost always what most people would consider 'quiet' around the lodge, but there is an especially poignant silence that comes when there is snow atop. Perhaps it is just the knowledge that I am one of very few folks in the park with 441 closed, or the muffling effect of the fine powder, but my afternoon strolls wear a cloak of added significance on these overcast, snowy days. I don't just feel like I am the only person atop, I am... My only bretheren is the fox and bobcat. The peace comes a little easier on days with such assurance, filling the silent gaps between chickadee calls, gentle winds, and creaking trees with a flood of contentedness. My backyard is one of the fine areas in America deemed worthy of special protection and I revel in the magnificence, grateful that my forebearers had the insight to preserve such a noble environment and the state of mind that comes with such immersion. I reap the rewards of their sagacity every afternoon.
Fraley Family
3/1/2013 12:42:24 am
JP...thank you....you get me there.
Marilyn
3/1/2013 12:45:11 am
Let me be the first to say good morning to JP and all the bloggers on this site. Terrific picture. Looks like a hiker in the 1920's with the high gaiters and tucked in pants legs. And your poetic words sound like how life must have been for the pioneers in the Smokies before the park came into existence on a wintry morning with only the silence in the woods and the crackling of their welcome toasty fires inside. Enjoy your special solitude in great surroundings!
Charlotte
3/1/2013 12:46:18 am
O what Id give to be on the trail in the pic today ( not behind this desk) have fun and enjoy your solitary MT.
Kim Lloyd
3/1/2013 01:01:17 am
Jealous is not the right word to use here but it's the only one I can think of... Thank you for being there and managing things so we can get there. If the forecast is right and it snows in Memphis, I hope to walk along a wooded trail and pretend to be high up on the mountain top!! : >
Perry
3/1/2013 01:10:32 am
Good morning! Love reading your blog everyday. I too am jealous and would love to see the views this morning from one of my favorites places on earth! Good vibes man...
Monte
3/1/2013 01:35:58 am
JP,
Revdrew
3/1/2013 02:17:26 am
Hey J.P. when is your departure date. Not that I wish to to go at all. Just pondering a jaunt to see you one day and say hi. Of course I would have some special treat eataries in tow. Just wondering.
Sandra
3/1/2013 02:32:03 am
I too am so grateful to those who had the wisdom to protect our beautiful Smokies from being "developed" and ruined. What a gift! Every time I reach the place where I catch the first glimpse of the mountains, it takes my breath away. There is so much beauty all around. What a blessing!
Jim
3/1/2013 02:55:34 am
"...such assurance filling the silent gaps...with contentedness." Priceless. Thanks for the views. Looking forward to July's trip.
Pat N.
3/1/2013 03:09:27 am
Hi, JP! Thanks for a beautiful beginning to March!
Rebecca
3/1/2013 03:18:10 am
You are a very lucky camper JP.
Tony Ga
3/1/2013 04:49:26 am
Wondering where my friend doug y is? 3/1/2013 07:44:55 am
Not able to get away for few years, and needing a vacation desperately. Thanks for the momentary mental vacations I get to take with this blog. Blessings!
Picardy
3/1/2013 07:58:21 am
@aimee Adams!! I agree! Mental vacation ... A gift!
Amanda
3/1/2013 08:40:15 am
How does one get to be so blessed . I would give my career up for such peace .
doug y
3/1/2013 10:09:34 am
Tony Ga, Rexana ! I just walked in the door here at home. I wasn't snowbound in NC, I was "trailbound" ! I was havng such a marvelous time being out hiking and camping that I couldn't bring myself to leave ! But, the lodge and this blog was on my mind; I miss it when I'm off for even a single day. I did my hikes in the Fontana Dam area. I feel like a million dollars now ! (yeah, 'all green and wrinkled' !) I am literally "bushed" right now. I'll have to write about it tomorrow. One question, however, for JP, or anyone who remembers: Those wonderful wool blankets used in the cabins up at the lodge: What are they called ? The brand / name ? See everyone tomorrow sometime ! Good evening.
Rexanna
3/1/2013 10:42:36 am
Hudson Bay wool blankets is what the Lodge calls them. I bet they are WARM..... :)))
Tony Ga
3/1/2013 10:47:36 am
Only wool blankets I remember are those itchy green ones when I was in the Army. No thanks.
Susan B
3/1/2013 11:59:16 am
I was also wondering where Doug Y was. I enjoy his words as well.
Debi
3/1/2013 10:32:41 am
Doug, I just looked for them in my hard covered Cabela's book. I knew they used to sell them in there, but could not find them. But found some on pg. 525 of this years Spring book. These look a little like them there Yakima camp blankets. But they look different but there a wool blend.
Nancy
3/1/2013 07:35:04 pm
Wonderful description to read and remind me of home since I am on the other side of the world in Viet Nam. The wonders of communications now. Hope to walk up the mountain again in March. Thanks for your incredible postings this winter. They always transport me to the top.
Bill Drummy
3/1/2013 10:06:41 pm
Jamie & I will be staying at the lodge April 2nd...Jamie's first trip up the mountain.
Rob
3/2/2013 05:32:20 am
JP- If you haven't already had the idea, I would suggest you work on publishing a book of poetry and photos from your mountaintop experiences. It should be on the shelves at the park welcome centers. Thank you for sharing you words and experiences.
Mark R
3/2/2013 06:37:21 am
I second the book idea!
JP
3/3/2013 12:45:50 am
Rob, 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
June 2024
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