December 25th, 2018

Merry Christmas,

It’s currently 29 degrees and partly cloudy up top. There is still over a foot of snow in the higher elevations on Mt. LeConte.

24 hour temperature range | High: 29 Low: 11

*According to radio conversations - Hwy 441 is open.

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The kitchen glowed a warm flame orange. With a strong cup of coffee, I sat quietly on an old wooden stool. Taking a sip from the mug, I stared out toward the sky. What would today bring? Everything in nature seemed as it was yesterday. What was the difference? Working the thought over in my head, I grabbed my camera and disappeared into the morning grey.

Sauntering up the trail, I picked the thought back up. I marveled, first, at this beautiful opportunity I had to be here, now, in the forest. What better forum to ponder the notions nestled deep in the floorboards of the mind? Holding firmly to the thought, I couldn’t help but notice the calm settling over the mountain. Scarlet ribbons of light stole my attention as they poked through the spruce. My grip loosened, now was all that mattered.

A tiny seam remained unstitched on the horizon. I watched as the blanket of clouds transformed into an ocean of color. The moment the light touched the snow at my feet, the feeling I was looking for came; the feeling of Christmas arrived.

To be present was the greatest gift.

Onward,
​Seth

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“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” 
​
Edna Ferber