what do you do with the pieces of a broken heart? and how can a man like me remain in the light? and if life is really as short as they say, then why is the night so long?

A pain stabbed my heart, as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world. Kerouac

Morning y'all,

It's another beautiful day up top. The high yesterday reached 39 degrees. The low got down to 28 degrees. It was 39 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received no new precipitation and there is only patchy snow remaining up top. The trails are in good shape, I came up Alum yesterday in sneakers and carefully stepped around the few slick spots on the trail. It should be a great day, enjoy!

This is not a black and white photo.

There was plenty to be grateful for on the mountain yesterday. Once I got past the double stair on my hike up Alum, the mist thinned and I started to soak in the big views above the clouds. This big beauty shifts your perspective and your human alltoohuman problems melt away in the face of such grandeur. The beauty triumphs, making your sorrow feel petty and self indulgent. The sunset above the clouds was spectacular as always and the cloud cover stayed intact all night, creating a starshow from the 17th century without the light pollution from Pigeon Forge and Gat Vegas. Deep breaths and silent astonishment and blessed relief.