Tax Day; Serenity Now!

Since it's Tax Day I figured I may go a little heavy on calming photos Monday.  Living on LeConte forces you to meet your commitment to the government ahead of time, so Tax Day is just another day.  I don't imagine that my accountant received any other payments delivered by llama, though.  If it makes you feel better, know that some of your tax dollars will end up helping the Great Smoky Mountains National Park--one of the greatest jewels of the nation.

The clouds are beginning to build a little, perhaps heralding some wet weather to come.  I always like to get the rain at night when it sounds so good on the roof.  Plus, most of the day hikers and our guests are off the trail at night, so the rain doesn't bother them.  However, it's hard to boss around the weather, and I won't attempt it today.

Sunday's high pushed all the way to 63, while the overnight low retreated to a mild 46.  The winds picked up overnight and have been blowing sporadically.  Some hikers mentioned they really felt the gusts coming around some of the exposed points on Alum Cave Bluff Trail.  It's not "Oh my, Toto blew away" bad, but just keep the wind and possible wet weather in mind as you pack for your hike.

Crew members John and Walt, no strangers to logging high mileage on their afternoon breaks, have good things to report about wildflowers on the Bullhead and Boulevard Trails.  Carolina spring beauties and trout lilies can be seen on both trails, though it sounds like the trout lilies may be a little farther along on Bullhead.