![]() What is there to say? Howso? Why? What a strange and beautiful life this is... as weird and lovely as the very sea. It is hard to say goodbye. There are many things I could say now, but I shall not say them, for, if I ever could never return, I should not be grieved for. That is why I go, quietly, with my plans, and commit nothing and expect nothing, but love everything. Kerouac Morning y'all, It's a beautiful, clear morning up top. The high yesterday was 41 degrees and the overnight low dipped down to 5 degrees. It was 13 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received .49 inches of rain yesterday and there is still patchy snow in ice up top. The trails are close to melted, but I'd still recommend spikes if you intend to reach the summit. It's hard to know just what exactly the seeps froze into overnight. It's a beautiful day above the clouds up top, get out and enjoy it! Yesterday was my last 'vacation day' up here. I knew there were chores to button this place up for the transition to the season, an empty duffel bag in the corner that needed to be packed, posters and poems to unpin from the walls, and a long hiking itinerary that had to have the finishing touches put upon it... but I just wanted one last day of leisure with my old friend. I always feel like I procrastinate, then pack in a haze and never allow myself a quiet moment to mark the finality of the season. I knew this would be my last chance to say goodbye in a slow, proper manner, a daylong one man festival of appreciation, and spent it wandering around, reading on the porch, savoring the mountain air, knowing it'd be the last time I'd let it (this particular brand of high southern appalachian spruce-fir forest) linger in my lungs for too long. I am thrilled for the year to come and know that as long as I keep staying true to myself, good things will keep coming. This place molds me in a different way every season and I'm grateful to Tim for providing me with the opportunity. I view it as a gift and I am looking forward to returning to my Smoky Mountain home in November...
Barbara
3/6/2015 12:51:40 am
be safe in your travels. Thank you for your insights and sharing of that beautiful mountain with us. I miss it so.
Susan
3/6/2015 01:08:42 am
Closing thoughts beautifully said, J.P. This season seems to have flown by. Good luck in your future endeavors and keep that wonderful spirit that inspires us all. You always bring us to the core of what is real and what really matters. Thank you and godspeed. Looking forward already to your posts next year. Looking forward also to meeting the new crew for the 2015 season.
dan waits
3/6/2015 01:25:53 am
and we're thankful you share you life with us
Rick
3/6/2015 01:38:56 am
JP thanks for keeping the mountain alive. Be safe and have great summer. Looking forward to your return in November God Bless
stephen
3/6/2015 01:43:14 am
Look forward to seeing you next winter JP
Melissa
3/6/2015 01:47:53 am
Hard to fathom that the season has passed already. It may have went fast for you but slow down yonder. As always, enjoyed every blog! Stay safe and will look forward to next year :)
Diane
3/6/2015 01:51:43 am
I so enjoy your writing, your transparent joy in your life, and your photography. Thank you. I will look forward to your return next winter.
Sharon S
3/6/2015 02:11:02 am
Yay! You're coming back...
Ellis Crabtree
3/6/2015 02:15:55 am
Thank you again for your blogs and photos of the top, May God bless you in every aspect of your travels and keep you safe, I pray that one of these days I will get to meet you in person.
pam
3/6/2015 02:21:22 am
Yeah,!!!! You are coming back!!! You will find the
Lisa
3/6/2015 02:48:16 am
Glad you got some snow to play in this winter. And sooo glad you will be back in November. I love checking your blog everyday to keep me in touch with one of my favorite places! 3/6/2015 03:09:12 am
J. P., you already know just how damned lucky you are to have found your real place(s) so early in your life.Every day, I hold you in the Light, praying you will hold fast to the landscape of your own soul, and not get drawn off into dry and thirsty countries like most of us did.
David
3/6/2015 03:10:38 am
While it is a shame to loose your visits to my computer everyday, it reminds me that it is only man that changes. The mountains will always be there in our memories. As the old saying goes "Take only memories, leave only footprints." Happy Trails and Travels. I will look forward to hearing about your adventures upon your return.
Richard from MA
3/6/2015 03:13:25 am
JP - Have enjoyed your posts. Thanks so much for introducing me to Mary Oliver and Fleet Foxes, and for the outstanding pics from a place I have only been to once, but has stayed in my heart. I'll be watching for you in the Whites this summer. Good luck and happy trails. Keep in touch.
Mike Geeslin
3/6/2015 03:46:47 am
Thank you for all the incredible pictures this season. Hope to make it to the top someday with my new knee.
Linda
3/6/2015 03:48:58 am
JP - Have a safe journey to your next destination and thanks so much for sharing your time on this wonderful mountain with all of us. So happy you're returning in November. Happy trails!
Rebecca
3/6/2015 03:49:23 am
Thanks for the inspiration this season. So glad we could get through this run without the rancor of last season. Perhaps the herd has been culled of those trouble makers. Leaving the folks that truly enjoy the wit and wisdom you dispense about our beloved mountain and beyond. God Speed and look forward to your return in November!
Pat N
3/6/2015 03:54:34 am
JP...thank you once again for bringing the beauty of the mountains into our hearts and homes. We are all blessed to know that you are keeping one of God's wonders in your care. Enjoy your remaining days until you return to your November Home.
E Best
3/6/2015 03:55:01 am
JP
Tony Ga
3/6/2015 05:14:58 am
Thanks. Happy hiking.
Amber
3/6/2015 05:45:26 am
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt words with us. Blessings to you during your next adventures - both now and in the future!
Donnie R
3/6/2015 06:09:22 am
Another excellent job with then winter posts on top of Ole Smoky ;)
Sharon P
3/6/2015 06:47:01 am
Happy trails to you, JP! I, too, am grateful for your beautiful prose and photos. I, too, an thrilled to hear you say you'll be back next year.
norman the airborne rebel
3/6/2015 07:28:50 am
JP, thanks for this season, Have a great time between now and Nov. Glad you will be back (God willing). Look forward to Ruthie's coverage this season, (know she want have the 'time' [ for the post ] you had). God Speed.
Paw Paw and Nana
3/6/2015 07:29:23 am
It's been a seemingly short time since your blogs began. Nana and I have enjoyed them immensely. Your photography skills rank right up there with the best. We know it's your time to leave but "parting is such sweet sorrow". However, it's great that you will be back next year. Please take with you our prayers and well wishes for a great year and we look forward to next year's blog from "High on Leconte" God's speed my friend.
elktonbrant
3/6/2015 08:05:44 am
I just want to add my thanks for another winter of allowing me to live vicariously through the eyes of a man whose eyes see more of the simple grandeur of mother nature than I can ever hope to see. I hope that New Hampshire eventually thaws out for you, and keep the LeConte smell in your brain on a hot summer's day.
Val
3/6/2015 10:17:03 am
Thanks for sharing the magic JP, Happy Trails!
Al
3/6/2015 11:16:40 am
JP,
jw
3/6/2015 11:28:28 am
J P it was a honor to meet u this yr .Enjoy your journey this summer and hope to see you when you return .Thanks again for the DailyPosts
Tenderfoot
3/6/2015 11:45:20 am
JP, thanks for all the nice pictures and great descriptions you provided for us all winter. I too am happy to hear you will be back with us again. I enjoyed the time we spent talking JP. Enjoy your summer and may God continue to bless you!
Jan
3/6/2015 12:49:15 pm
JP, have a wonderful summer (and Spring, and Fall!) and enjoy everything life throws at you! I am so happy to hear that you will be back next season. I enjoy reading your posts, and seeing the pictures you take. Happy trails!
Dawn
3/6/2015 12:51:28 pm
JP, having made my first trip to the top of Leconte and spending the night this past August thanks to my hiking friend, I have longed to keep lovely Leconte alive and her spirit with me. Your blog and pictures have enabled me to start each day as if I was transported back to the magic of the mountain. Thank you
Mary
3/6/2015 03:16:21 pm
JP,
Tammy
3/6/2015 04:49:48 pm
JP, just want to wish you safe and happy travels! I'll miss your daily posts, but look forward to reading them again next winter. I usually don't post anything but faithfully read your posts every evening. Your reflections on your time on Leconte give me a sense of peace and allow me to feel a daily connection to my favorite Smokey even though I live hundreds (more than a thousand) of miles away. Although we are a generation apart in age (you are my daughter's age) I believe you appreciate the same simple things in life that I do....the smell of the air and rain...the sound of the wind or rolling thunder...the simple pleasure of watching the animals and listening to the sounds they make, etc. My husband told me recently that he thinks all the animals like me. I just laughed! I bet they like you too! God bless you!
Tami
3/6/2015 08:56:18 pm
Best of luck in your next journey. I enjoy your pictures and narratives and look forward to them next time!
Becky Moore
3/7/2015 12:05:38 am
JP, thanks for always doing a wonderful job. Be safe and enjoy your next adventures. So glad you will be back in November! Comments are closed.
|
LeConte LodgeWelcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain! Archives
January 2025
|