Spring Marches Onward, Upward

I hope everyone is enjoying a fine Sunday.  After a bustling Saturday, the mountain seems to be returning to a more leisurely pace on Sunday.Like the old-school carbon copy credit card machine we use in the office, the weather remains nearly a carbon copy of yesterday.  As of lunch, most of Sunday has been sunny, though at times a thin veil of cumulus clouds visits us at LeConte Lodge.  Even in the clouds, you can look up and see the wisps of clouds playing against a field of blue.  Saturday's high pushed to 65, but it felt warmer than that.  The overnight low registered 48 degrees.

Several crew members have been stretching their legs as of late on the Boulevard Trail.  I was fortunate enough to do so a few days back and counted it an enjoyable afternoon.  I ran across a couple of patches of trillium (pictured above) about 2.5-3 miles down the Boulevard.   Crew member Walt, a botanist more accomplished than I, tells me that the above is a sweet white trillium--sure looked sweet to me.

A little farther up the mountain I ran across some Carolina rhododendron and sand myrtle giving a preview of their coming attraction.  In the photo below, you can see buds just waiting to put on a show.  We'll just have to wait a little longer.

In other good news, we enjoyed visits from some day hikers.  J.D. Schlandt stopped by to say hello.  J.D. has been climbing LeConte with a weighted pack to train for his upcoming trip to Mt. Hood.  We hope good days spent on LeConte, one of the finest mountains in the East, will put him in good stead for an ascent of one of the jewels of the West.

In addition, we were glad to see Henry Neel again.  Henry ably served as LeConte Lodge assistant manager for many years, finishing up his last season on the mountain in 2010.  Henry brought up some local honey and sorghum for the crew, which we'll put to good use on our biscuits (another one of Henry's great talents).

Speaking of talents, Henry also has impeccable timing in the three years I've known him.  He walked into the dining room to a sumptuous Sunday dinner feast prepared by Chrissy.  Sunday dinner ranks as the most anticipated crew meal of the week, the one time we take time to set the table for ourselves and enjoy a meal without running and gunning.  Prospective guests will be glad to know that we set the table for you every meal.

Have a fine day.  Happy trails.