Tropical Rain Forest?

6/6/2013

It is looking like another rainy day up top. We received almost an 1.5" last night and the forecast is calling for rain for the next four days. The high yesterday was 60º with a low of 49º. This rain is helping everything turn lush and green. I heard the myrtle at Myrtle Point is in full swing. I have not had a chance to make it out there. Hopefully, I will be able to hike out over the next couple of days and get some good pictures.

On a more exciting note, we should be mentioned on the Today show in the morning. They my include some of my photos in the spot, but we do not know just yet. They are interviewing a person about National Park adventures, and we made the cut. Check it out and let me know how it goes.

Debi

6/6/2013 12:50:58 am

Awesome news about your photos. Hope they pick your.

Ryan--La

6/6/2013 12:54:28 am

Morning all, congrats on the Today show. Hey Allyson, how about a calendar that smells like the mountain. The tunnel perhaps not the outhouse.

Peggy Jackson

6/6/2013 04:00:42 am

Well, the Smokies are a *temperate* rain forest micro climate.

elktonbrant

6/6/2013 06:00:20 am

I've been looking for the segment on the Today website, but I don't think it made the air (it probably got bumped in favor of extending the INCREDIBLY important segment about Martha Stewart's dating life).
Those people in NYC HAVE to learn priorities!

doug y

6/6/2013 06:30:31 am

I had just turned to the "Today" program when they were discussing Martha Stewart's dating endeavors, etc. I just switched it off after only a few seconds. I can't remember when the Travel Channel's Samantha Brown aired her trip to Leconte Lodge, and my memory is fading on what she said, so someone might refresh me on that, but, I believe I vaguely recall that she did not have a lot of good to say about the hike up there. As for her thoughts about the lodge itself, I just don't remember if she had anythng good to say about it, although she may have; I hope she did. I always try to say very positive things when I'm describing the lodge to others, and around 4:00am this morning I woke up and this little limerick, of sorts, was going through my head:

"In the Smokies there's a lodge called Leconte and down in the
valley it's not;
it sits high up the mountain near a peak, so to get there is
certainly a feat;
and everyone likes it a lot.
There's no 'lectricity nor running water on site, and meals are'
eaten by oil lamp light;
you sleep beneath wool with your belly full, and the stars are
real bright at night.
You might see a deer, or a bear that's near, and the fog can
suddenly roll in;
the wind may blow and the air get cold, and the rain will soak
through to your skin.
But there's magic there, and it permeates the air, and the
experience is definitely great;
and you may make a stop up on the ridge at Cliff Tops to
watch the sun go down when it's late.
And another good thing, with the stories they bring, is the
people from far and near;
the young and the old, the timid and the bold, all held
together by a bond that is clear.
One must mention the crew, both experienced and new, they
cook and take care of the guests;
they're always on hand, without them would be bland,
they work hard and give of their best.
So across the ages, through all that nature stages, a better
place would be hard to find;
the lodge will do well, casting its spell, forever in our
hearst and minds !" G'day all.

Pat Morgan

6/6/2013 12:01:24 pm

I remember that episode and Samantha did comment that the hike up and down could be a bit daunting but her experience at the lodge was portrayed in a positive light. She was there in early April and had to deal with rain and chilly temps but again, I have no recollection of any focus on the negative.

Love your limerick!

Leigh

6/6/2013 02:18:02 pm

You can still watch it on video: Samantha Brown's Passport to Great Weekends, Volume 2 (Season 8?), Episode 18 on the Smoky Mountains. The segment on the Leconte Lodge was great as was the entire episode. It presented her entire trip in a positive and enjoyable way.

Jeanie

6/6/2013 07:26:35 am

Great news about the Today show! I'll be sure to set the TV to record in the morning. Everything looks so pretty up there! Can't wait to see some flower pictures! Tell everyone hello from the Lawleys!

Becky Moore

6/6/2013 08:20:37 am

Doug Y --love the limerick, which says it all!! Stuck in tropical storm rain all day here in northeast Florida.

Jt mobile al

6/6/2013 09:48:57 am

Great job Doug , keep up the good work, enjoy the site,

Sdebnfl

6/6/2013 12:56:39 pm

I'll record the Today Show tomorrow and see if they air something about Leconte. Hope so! They should send a news reporter up Alum Trail to Leconte and stay at the lodge. Then they would have a great story to tell.
We are getting tons of rain here in Florida. The frogs are happy but I'm not.

Debnfl

6/6/2013 01:03:22 pm

Just scanned my tv for tomorrow and the Today Show will air National Park Adventures at 10:00 eastern time. Hopefully something on Leconte and the beautiful photos!

Dodie

6/6/2013 02:09:48 pm

Heading up Sunday, hope to have lunch with you all

Leigh

6/6/2013 02:20:59 pm

Allyson, Congrats on making the Today Show. Hope to see your pictures on there in the morning. Do you still have some pieces on display in Gatlinburg? I'd love to see them next time I'm in town.

doug y

6/7/2013 03:11:56 am

Thanks for the information you posted - - I watched tjhat segment late last evening and it restored my memory of that piece; glad to have seen it.

Leigh

6/7/2013 03:48:46 am

Glad I could help! I can't wait to watch it again myself.

Guy

6/7/2013 04:48:38 am

Here is the link for the interview about the national parks:

http://www.today.com/video/today/52132142#52132142

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Tropical Rain Forest?

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