Good afternoon to you. This is Nathan filling in on High on LeConte duties as Allyson is attending the big wedding (more on that later). We've been swapping up writing a lot lately, so I can't say for sure who'll do Tuesday's update. I'm going to try to persuade William Faulkner to write a long-distance guest appearance.
Sunday turned out to be gray all the way through with a high of 63 and low of 37 early this morning. We didn't get much rain, however, just 0.16 of an inch. The weather story today was the return of real September weather. I'd bragged earlier in the month about how September is one of the nicest weather months on LeConte. That prompted us to receive rain 13 of September's 22 days to date. However, today is bluebird beautiful with a favorable forecast most of the week. The biggest news of the day is the wedding of Chrissy and Alan Householder, our llama wranglers. We've been trying to blow some of these beautiful conditions into the skies over their ceremony. There are some LeConte Lodge folks attending. However, no llamas RSVPd. A llama would make some kind of interesting ring bearer, but it was not to be. In fact, some of the llamas came up to see us and deliver clean sheets today. Tom Gage, our backup llama wrangler, will be leading the teams up this week while Alan and Chrissy concentrate on wedding business. I don't have details about the ceremony, but I hope it turned out to be a joyous day for everyone. I even made a "wedding biscuit" this morning for the mountain staff, as that's as close as we're going to get to eating wedding cake. Others celebrated in different ways. David Scanlon, who is closing in on 1,000 hikes to LeConte, chose to add a rock of honor to the top of High Top. Literally and figuratively, Mt. LeConte stands a little higher today in honor of Chrissy and Alan. Alan and Chrissy have done such a nice job taking care of the needs of our guests and staff over the years. Those of us who remained up top to keep the lodge open wish Chrissy and Alan the best and hope this day is every bit as rewarding as they dreamed. I've been fortunate enough to see fine people meet up here at LeConte and plot the rest of their lives together. Happy trails.
Tracy G
9/22/2014 08:45:39 am
Congratulations to Alan and Chrissy and many blessings to you!
elktonbrant
9/22/2014 08:48:02 am
Please don't have William Faulkner write a guest post... as I will then have to wait for the Cliff's Notes/Sparknotes explanation as to what he was actually trying to say.
norman
9/22/2014 08:59:51 am
Congratlations also, and new wall paper today..
Amy Large
9/22/2014 09:02:23 am
I am thrilled for my high school classmate, Alan, and his wonderful, perfect bride, as are all his classmates. We got to meet the lovely Crissy last year at our reunion...they are a great match! I have to say though that I'm surprised no llamas are attending!
Elaine
9/22/2014 09:15:26 am
I'm sure Horace Kephart would be more than happy to hike these trails again and speak to us but in case he should not be available, you are more than a suitable substitute, Norman. Special wishes to Chrissy and Alan for a life full of happiness and contentment. You and the llamas are an important part of the Leconte experience.
The Belmonts
9/22/2014 09:20:57 am
We are so happy for Chrissy and Alan. Wish we could have been there as I am sure all of you on the mountain wish for the same. May they have a wonderful day wherever they are...I have a feeling they are somewhere in the Smokies.
Pat N
9/22/2014 09:45:14 am
Thanks for taking over on the blog on this special "mountain love" day. Also to Tom for taking over the llama duties. Can't wait to see wedding updates from Allyson, etc.
Lottie
9/22/2014 12:14:42 pm
Congratulations to a perfect couple with soooo much in common!! This is just great!! I am tickled pink! :) THis was just plain meant to be!!!! Wedding wishes to you both!!!
Elisabeth
9/22/2014 01:24:57 pm
That is so fantastic! Congrats you two. So happy for you both.
Rebecca
9/22/2014 01:27:48 pm
Best Wishes to the happy couple! May they have many years of "Wrangling" together!!
Kent
9/22/2014 02:06:40 pm
Congratulations to Alan and Chrissy!
norman
9/22/2014 02:39:22 pm
I would have liked to have seen the 'wedding biscuit' after its hot date with the oven. Would take Kephart over Faulkner. What were you talking about, Elaine?
Elaine
9/24/2014 04:06:55 am
Forgive me,Norman. Must have had you on my mind. Ha! I was trying to tell NATHAN that he was a perfect substitute should Kephart not be available and your name appeared on the screen. Now who was responsible for that??
Sherleen
9/22/2014 04:31:29 pm
Congratulations to the newly weds. Great blog today Nathan.Gonna' miss you when you are gone.I feel the About Chris and Alyson. Old people do not like change.LOL Looking forward to the new folks .Checking in to see what is on this blog is a huge part of my day every day.God bless all of you on the top.I nominate Greg Johnson for a guest writer . :-)
Sherleen
9/22/2014 04:32:58 pm
Thumbs up for the wedding heart biscuit .!
Kathy
9/23/2014 12:11:56 am
Congratulations, Chissy and Alan from back in Cincinnati. Hello Nathan: There are many individuals who could write at length about the Smokies, Mt. Leconte, and the Lodge. I never tire of reading the comments posted here by the frequent readers and posters who offer varying accounts of hikes in the Park, up the mountain, and experiences at the lodge. All represent wonderful adventures and to each individual are an important aspect of their lives, as mine are. I would love to sit down with the lodge's founder, Jack Huff, who I am sure would have volumes to share. If there's anything I have on my agenda for this coming winter season and this recovery period I'm in with my knee it is to read as much as I can find about the lodge and its particular history and connections with the Park, and especially anything prior to its creation. I'm sure there's plenty of material to be discovered. I love these cool mornings and again I was almost convinced that I heard the breakfast bell ringing at 8:00a !! Soon, soon..........
norman
9/23/2014 03:09:08 am
Which Greg Johnson, Sherleen? I'm just checking in!
Teresa
9/23/2014 03:59:47 am
Awesome picture. Different view of Leconte/Cabins
jeand
9/23/2014 04:13:04 am
Spent last week, Sept 13-21 at a wonderful cabin which is bounded on 2 sides by the Smoky Mtns Nat'l park near the road up to the trails to Rainbow Falls,etc. It was built in approximately 1933 by my mother's first cousin. It is rustic and quaint, though has been updated with all the modern amenities including Wi-Fi. When I was a little girl Mother and Dad took us up there to visit several times a year. I have lots of memories of the area including the memory of the cabin my Dad and Grandad built nearby. It, however, was sold after just a few years but the cousin's cabin still belongs to the same family. Last week we hiked some, ate a lot, laughed a lot and enjoyed the park. Comments are closed.
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June 2024
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