High On LeConte
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Roosevelts Visit Sevier County 2012

9/3/2012

 
Picture
In Sunday's update I wrote about the 72nd anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address at Newfound Gap to dedicate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Since we're celebrating Labor Day by laboring, Monday's update will be a little lighter fare.  In honor of the 72nd anniversary, I had a fortuneteller channel a conversation between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt upon visiting Sevier County en route to Newfound Gap in 2012.  I've included the top nine most interesting items of conversation.

9. (Upon reaching Newfound Gap) "Those hikers coming down from the Boulevard Trail sure look tired for it to be an 'easy' eight miles."

8. (Upon being stuck in Labor Day traffic in Gatlinburg) "I was elected president of the United States four times.  Where's my motorcade?"

7. "You know, Eleanor, if we have time on our way back I really need to stop and pick up a new 'No. 1 Grandpa' ballcap."

6. (While driving through Pigeon Forge at night) "Franklin, that TVA idea must have worked.  It appears they have a little bit of electricity around here."

5. (Upon seeing the plethora of go cart tracks and miniature golf courses) "These people must be really serious about driver training to start them so early.  And I'm never going to take a golf bet with anyone from Sevier County.  They practice every day with dinosaurs to distract them."

4. "That Dolly lady and this Elvis fella must be good."

3. "Franklin, I think we need to come back down here and open up a pancake house.  I notice a distinct shortage of pancake houses in Sevier County."

2. "I can't believe it.  They were looking in the wrong place all those years.  Eleanor, for the life of me, I never would have dreamed they'd discover half the Titanic in such remarkable shape in Pigeon Forge, Tenn."

1. (Upon returning to Newfound Gap and taking in the vista of the Smokies unfolding before them) "There was nothing easy about it but dedicating the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was a fine idea.  This is every bit as special a land as it was 72 years ago.  It's worth protecting."

Now for the LeConte Lodge weather report and a return to reality.  Our Sunday high reached 67 degrees with an overnight low bottoming out at 55.  We enjoyed a welcome sound on our roof last night--a healthy rain.  We registered 0.53 inches overnight.  The forecast is pretty soggy, so maybe we'll get caught up a little bit over the next couple of days.  We'd be glad to have you hike up to see us.  Just make sure you're prepared for wet weather and slick trails.

Happy trails.

Picture
Carol in TN
9/3/2012 03:45:38 am

Nathan, your writing is most entertaining. My favorite was #1! And I am excited! My husband & I will be climbing up to see you guys next week on Sept. 11th and we are first timers. Anyone have any words for the wise?

Tony Ga
9/3/2012 04:09:57 am

Take your time hiking up and enjoy all there is to see. Can't wait for our day hike there this fall.

Carol in TN
9/3/2012 04:39:50 am

Tony, I appreciate this comment & I will show it to my husband. He tends to be rather goal-oriented & push to get to the end of a hike. There is so much beauty to enjoy on the hike up, we indeed must & will take time to see it.

Al
9/3/2012 04:07:21 am

On Aug 27th there was a post about Blind hiker Jesse Smith & his wife, Shirley. I am most interested in knowing what trail they chose & how long it took them to make the climb. What difficulities they might have had... did Jesse offer any advice for other visually impared hikers?

Doug
9/3/2012 04:49:25 am

I've seen a photograph of FDR making that address, but I can't recall where. About every five years I hike the A.T. through the Park from Davenport Gap to Fontana, a very nice trip. When I reach Newfound Gap it seems there's always a tourist or two that wants to talk to me about my hike; I suppose that by then I do rather look well worn, and I find it interesting that my appearance causes such interest. I don't need the attention and try to move on quickly, but I find that a rest there by that large stone wall helps me to appreciate the wisdom of those who helped create the Park. Maybe that's where I've seen the photo of FDR. Regardless, the Smokies are very dear to my heart.

Debi link
9/3/2012 10:51:46 pm

Doug, I have seen that picture for sale at Apple Annies, The Kitchen Cupboard. Its in the Arts and Crafts Community. I love that store.The owners son works for the park and the owner has some great hiking stories to tell. They have antiques, rugs, jams,and pictures. I also loved the picture of the guys running a still out in the hills. Went to buy it last August but it was sold. Neat little store worth checking out.
Nathan, yep, who is that Dolly person? lol

tomk
9/4/2012 12:54:28 am

Doug,
I have seen that picture as well, looking at it right now.
Page 97 of "A Natural History of Mount LeConte" by Wise and Petersen. I don't know if there is a copy at the Lodge, but I purchased this copy at Sugarlands Visitors Center a few years back.

Tommy V
9/3/2012 07:31:32 am

Nathan, I have really enjoyed your informative and entertaining blogs over the weekend. I make it up to LeConte once and sometimes twice a year. Looking forward to coming up in a few weeks and hope to see you and the crew then. Take care up top!

Doug
9/4/2012 02:17:42 am

Debi & tomk: thank you for the information; now I have two reasons for driving down from KY and spending time in the Park ! As if I need a reason ! WIth the onset of fall, I've gotten my hiking gear re-arranged and ready to go. Debi: where exactly is Apple Annie's ? I'm drawing a blank on that one...... Last time in Gatlinburg I noticed that several of the stores and restaurants I frequented over the years are now gone, replaced by new ones and other businesses; But, I spend as little time as possible in the town except to eat, although I do love the old Gatlinburg Inn; these days I head straight for Elkmont or Cades Coves, as sort of a base camp for my hiking. Of course, I'd love to stay up on the mountain at the lodge every week if I could ! G'day all.

Debi link
9/4/2012 10:46:00 pm

Doug, Just google it. Type in Arts and crafts community in Gatlinburg. Its stoplight 3 in Gatlinburg. Hang a left and go a couple of miles, past Food City and you will see the Arts and crafts sign on Glades Rd. Stop light 3, I think it is. Go left (only goes 1 way), Its down there on the left "Apple Annies,The kitchen cupboard" If you go past Mountain Dr. You have gone too far.


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    LeConte Lodge

    Welcome 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!

    For information regarding GSMNP's paid parking tag requirements, please visit their website.

    For information regarding shuttle services, as well as overnight parking options in Gatlinburg, please visit our reservations website.

    Lodge Gift Shop Hours:
    9:00 - 10:00 AM
    ​12:00 - 4:30 PM

    Online Store

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

For current GSMNP road and trail information, visit the Park's Twitter page, official website, or call 865-436-1200 and follow the prompts.
  • Home
  • Daily Posts
  • FAQ's
  • Trail Guide
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer

Picture

Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture