Jewel Weed

8/5/2013

I had to really look to find this jewel weed flower. For some reason they are not doing so well this year. This is one of my favorite flowers around the lodge. I have always known these flowers to be called touch-me-not. I learned, as a small child, the wonders of medicinal plants and this one is great for taking away the itch of poison ivy. One Sevier country resident told me how she takes the stem, breaks it up, and puts it in ice cube trays with some water. She then freezes it and when you need a bit of itch relief, you take it out of the freezer and melt the ice. You then have the natural anti-itch relief all year round. I have also heard tale of the blackberries starting to come out. They are not ripe yet, but we are keeping an eye on them. It will be interesting to see how they do this season. I have heard folks talk about the ones below not doing so well.

It is a beautiful day on the mountain. The high yesterday was 60º with a low of 42º. We can not complain of the temperatures being too hot this year. They are nice and cool.

Debi

8/5/2013 01:45:00 am

Chilly brrr cold!! 48 here this morn and I had to wear my stocking hat to go clean my pool. The days are really starting to look like fall with those big fluffy clouds above. Love the flower today. Poor flowers and black berries have probably got too much rain or are washing away. lol

doug y

8/5/2013 02:39:11 am

As usual most mornings, I'm out on my back porch sipping a cup or two of coffee, around 8:00a and I'm always sort of day-dreaming that I could be up at the lodge having that great breakfast ! So this morning I went into my kitchen and cooked up some bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, and plenty of grape jelly, all washed down with a couple of glasses of fresh orange juice ! It's interesting to me when Debi posts the temperatures up where she lives because here in central KY they're usually about 15 degress warmer, and up at the lodge I usually deduct 15-20 deg from what I have; This morning was simply great, and refreshing as it was rather chilly and felt like fall had arrived; I think that season is probably my favorite, or at least at the top of my list. Had a skunk visit during the night and I could notably detect his presence ! I wonder if skunks sometimes roam around the lodge area - - I've stayed a few times over at the Icewater Spring shelter while doing my A.T. hike and I've seen those smelly little critters prowling aroung during the night; they get rather close, too !! If you lay there and remain still they will simply waddle off soon enough. This weekend the annnual Perseid meteor shower begins (Aug 10-13 I think) and I believe it'd be absolutely great to observe this event up at the lodge; I live out in the countryside, but there is still a modest amount of light pollution from a few streetlights and a distinct glow from London which is about 8 miles west of me. I'll be out watching, though. I enjoy the fall especially now that I have a brand new 14-in Meade telescope but the bloody thing is massive and quite a chore to erect. My old 8-in Celestron is still in great condition and I think I'll donate it to some organization; It doesn't have the GPS and computer capability of my new one, but is a good scope for any amateur. It'd be a great thng to have up at the lodge, although I don't know if their management would even want it up there. As for meteor showers, all one needs are your eyes. I've really enjoyed the accounts of past guests to the lodge, their ages, and stories of their journeys, etc. It makes for very good reading here. And, of course, the daily photos, most of which I add to my screen saver program to enjoy at home. G'day all.

8/6/2013 12:09:04 am

Doug, It surprises me how much Michigan weather is to Mt. Leconte weather. And yes, fall is on its way with those big fat fluffy clouds. Summer just goes by way too fast. Enjoy that warm weather while you can my friend.

8/7/2013 12:35:13 am

Debi: Warm weather is ok, but I am much more comfortable in the cooler months. I still do occasionally, but several years ago I used to camp a lot at Elkmont campground in the middle of winter, and I enjoyed it tremendously ! But they started closing this camground for a while each winter and that really disappointed me. Yet, I can still camp out at Cades Cove or over at Smokemont in N.C. in the cold seasons.

Linda M

8/5/2013 07:49:57 am

Do you have to compete with the bears for the blackberries? Love the picture!

ric

8/5/2013 08:20:31 am

no competition. they win by default...

phyllis

8/5/2013 03:04:41 pm

Allison,
Will you and Chris be there on then11th. Four of us plan to come up to do work on shelter and privy.
Phyllis

Patty Stevens

8/7/2013 03:42:27 pm

Hiked up yesterday with my oldest son. We are the lucky of the 18 that hiked up last year and got to the top with final total of 34 inches of snow. Anyway we hiked up Trillium as I want to know what it looked like without the snow and what was under my feet and both sides. We enjoyed our short stay and hiked down Bullhead and now I can say we have hike all trails to LeConte. I thought Trillium was my new best trail until about a mile from the top when I want to just sit down and give up.....But I made it and was my 66 Birthday and wouldn't have spent it any other way. Awesome day.

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Jewel Weed

LeConte Lodge

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