February 02nd, 2017

So behave that the odor of your actions may enhance the general sweetness of the atmosphere, that when we behold or scent a flower, we may not be reminded how inconsistent your deeds are with it; for all odor is but one form of advertisement of a moral quality, and if fair actions had not been performed, the lily would not smell sweet. The foul slime stands for the sloth and vice of man, the decay of humanity; the fragrant flower that springs from it, for the purity and courage are immortal. Thoreau

Morning y'all,
It's a blustery, soggy morning up top. The high yesterday reached 45 degrees. The overnight low was 32 degrees. It was 34 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received .21 inches of rain last night and there is still patchy snow remaining up top. It feels like the remaining snow will melt out later this afternoon. Get out and enjoy this quiet day on the trails!

Yesterday was yet another wonderful day to enjoy a 'staycation' up at the lodge. As my friend Dick can corroborate, there was nothing to do and I did it. It was a fine day to watch the snow melt, make some progress in my books and do some dishes. I had to run out to sunset, both to move my bones and my mind. It was a big sunset, with large clouds looming in the foreground and the bright orange sun mingling with the Smokies' characteristic haze and creating new colours by the moment. I walked back slow and satisfied, content with the show and enjoyed the night's coming quiet in the spruce-firs.