you kept me wanting wanting wanting like the wanting in the movies and the hymns.

11/29/2012

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books. John Lubbock

Morning,

It was another gorgeous day yesterday. The high reached 34 degrees, yet felt much warmer with abundant sunshine. The overnight low was 21 degrees. It was 33 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The amount of clear days I've had up here so far is making me think that I'm either on a lucky streak or have falsely remembered more of the gloomy, gray, covered in cloud factory days from last year... either way, I'll take it. There's no choice, really.

I had a nice hike down & up Alum Cave yesterday. It's always refreshing to get out before it feels like the woods & world beyond have risen for the new day. I was on the trail around 8am and felt the crisp bite of winter's force in my lungs, a nervous, frenetic energy had me stumbling all over the trail with my uncoordinated & under caffeinated limbs. I was working my hands to stay warm, clenching and unclenching, alternating which I'd put under an armpit to regain a fleeting moment of feeling. These discomforts are always worth it, for those savory views and quiet moments away from crowds on the trails you love. I could've had a cup of coffee, but all things come with their price.

I'll be checking out the Boulevard trail later on today. I'll have a report tomorrow - if I make it back alive!

Top photo: LeConte Creek. Above: Full moon setting over camp.

Vargo

11/29/2012 12:52:25 am

Wonderful post, JP. There is nothing better than being out there alone, early in the morning.

Vicki Towe

11/29/2012 12:52:35 am

JP I hope you have a safe,and great hike on the Boulevard trail today. I am so glad you are back this year,love your daily posts. The pics are Great! :)

Carol

11/29/2012 01:56:13 am

What trail is Leconte Creek on? I have been on Alum Cave trail twice, but this creek does not look familiar.

Love the pictures and information so we can live vicariously through you!

Kathy F

11/29/2012 02:35:31 am

It looks like the creek that you see from the first bridge (right after the trailhead sign) on Alum Cave Trail.

11/29/2012 02:48:41 am

JP, some friends & I were curious about food management. What do you like to eat; do you use the dinning room kitchen or do you cook in the crew cabin? Do you use what ever is left of the food stores at the end of the season? Do day hikers bring up food stuffs with them from time to time? Again, just wondering... thanks & keep up the good work!

11/29/2012 07:29:21 am

Al,
Up top, I find myself cooking much more than I do in the 'real world'. I have the time and really enjoy the warming sensation of cooked food. I use the kitchen, the dining room is closed. I use food that is left over, as well as having friends supplement my rather limited diet with lots of fresh goodies. If you're curious, these are my cravings at the moment: stamps, beer, the new york times, butter, half and half, sleepytime tea, bolthouse smoothies, sriracha, whole wheat tortillas, veggie boullion, triscuits, good cheese, fruits and greens. Hope that answers your questions!

Jenny

11/29/2012 11:44:29 pm

I'm writing something about the way Allyson and the crew eat, and I was going to bug you and ask you about what YOU cook, but then I decided not to bother you. But this post has me wondering about a few things. If you'd be willing to answer some questions via email, can you possibly send me a message? I assume you can see my email from these posts? Thanks!

11/30/2012 12:27:48 am

Jenny,
I'd be happy to answer some questions. Feel free to email me at [email protected].

Randy

11/29/2012 03:27:01 am

I look forward to your daily pics JP. They're such an inspiration to me.

Debi

11/29/2012 03:37:43 am

Love the first picuture. I can feel the warmth sitting on one of those rocks soaking the sunshine up.

robin

11/29/2012 04:32:02 am

Hey JP, my friend Nichoma and I passed you on the trail yesterday. It was a very crisp day and the views were just breath taking! We wandered out to Myrtle Point where we ate lunch, baked in that glorious sun shine, and soaked in the magestic views. It was nice to see you in person.

11/29/2012 07:31:07 am

Say hi next time!

jack oxendine

11/29/2012 07:31:45 am

Great pics and intelligent posts. Thanks for your insight. See you in January at the shelter.

doug

11/30/2012 12:20:19 am

Hiking early in the morning is the time of day I enjoy the most, although any time is good. As I take that first step on a trail, and I like starting before daybreak, I'm full of anticipation, eagerly glancing around and enjoying the stillness, the crisp cool air, and listening for sounds of wildlife beginning their routines. It does sometimes take a while for my body to acclimate to the environment, especially on those really cold mornings, but generally I get warmed up within a few hundred feet up or down the trail. As the sun rises, peeking brightly through the trees with its rays fanning out to illuminate everything I become more energized and have to be cafreful not to break into a run. I want for very little during these early hikes. A lot of people get so hung up on what they can't have that they don't think for a second about whether or not they really want it. On the trail I have everything. G'day.

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you kept me wanting wanting wanting like the wanting in the movies and the hymns.

LeConte Lodge

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