Watching the Clouds Roll Away

5/29/2014

There is nothing better than sitting out at Myrtle Point watching the clouds roll in. Yesterday was a perfect day for that. The rain clouds didn't blow through until later in the afternoon. The high was 67º with a low of 49º. The mountain was abustle with hikers, the crew has settled into their routines, and the weather is getting warmer by the day. Feels, smells, and looks like summer on the mountain. I am going to enjoy taking in my last full summer around the lodge. I want to take the last twelve years of memories with me and keep them close to my heart. This mountain will always feel like home to me. I know you all understand because I read how the mountain has touched so many of your lives. That is what makes this mountain top so magical. It means so much to so many.

Debi

5/29/2014 04:51:14 am

Yes it does. I should've been a southern woman.

Ken

5/29/2014 05:18:30 am

Spent one night many years ago. Touched the stars early mourning. Many years of day hikes in October. It also has a special place in my memories.

doug y link

5/29/2014 05:22:00 am

Hey Debi ! If you wish, there's a short ceremony where I could swear you in as that "southern woman" !

I'm eagerly waiting to hear from a good friend on her visit to the lodge with her two grandsons. I'm sure they had a good time; I gave them all the advice I could to help them. The constantly changing weather conditions remains an inevitable experience when on the mountain !

Norman, I wrote a bit on my blog for you today.

In a couple of weeks I hope to be at Elkmont to see the fireflies in action as I've never been there for just that purpose. Here in London, KY I see every night now hundreds and hundreds of these nightly creatures flying about flashing their signals looking for love, etc. They rise up from the hayfield below my residence and present quite a remarkable sight, although I will have to in order to make any comparison to what I will witness in the Smokies. Should be very interesting and informative. G'day

Kent

5/29/2014 06:08:47 am

The firefly population has greatly diminished here in Central Illinois over the past few years. I can't remember the last summer when they were as numerous as you just described, Doug.

Perhaps this year will be different. It's still a bit early for them in large numbers in these parts.

Glenn Oh

5/29/2014 11:01:40 am

Hi Doug, my wife and I will be staying at Leconte June 6th then going to Elkmont the 7th and 8th were hoping the fireflies will be at peak,we have seen them in the past and it surely is something to see, the shuttle buses run from the 4th thru the11th I think out of Sugarlands Visitor Center but worth the effort,it's all good when your in the Smokies !!!

norman

5/29/2014 01:20:14 pm

good man Doug, good man.

susan b

5/29/2014 07:33:27 am

Hi Doug,

We will be there at Elkmont in a couple of weeks, just missing the fireflies. Ken - being in St Louis we too aren't seeing as many.

Happy hiking!

Kent

5/29/2014 09:09:48 am

I did a little research on the subject and found that pesticides and chemical fertilizers are the primary culprits of the decline of the Lightening Bug population, along with loss of wild habitats to breed.

And get this: Excessive outdoor lighting has cut their numbers significantly, as well, since it makes the females harder to locate by the males during their mating flight.

elktonbrant

5/29/2014 10:26:10 am

I agree with you Allyson about sitting at Myrtle Point and watching the clouds. It's a show that is never the same twice. Last Friday my wife and I were there for about 1.5 hours and had views go from excellent to obscured... sometimes in a matter of seconds. It's as if the clouds and mountains are trying to figure out their respective places in the landscape.
For us a trip to LeConte isn't complete without spending time at Myrtle Point.

Warren

5/30/2014 03:50:41 am

Amen to the special feeling, Dwight and I were there this year on the first day and will come back one more time to say good bye in July, an up and back in one day something new for me.

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Watching the Clouds Roll Away

LeConte Lodge

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