These past 24 hours will certainly go down in the extensive annals of Lodge history. And there are so many natural and human contributions to thank for it.
Let’s start with the natural…
Weather? Superb!
Views? Awesome!
Sunrises? Inspiring!
Sunsets? Soothing!
Leaf change? Stunning!
Wildlife? Captivating!
Incredibly rare geomagnetic storm-caused event that extends far enough south for the Smokies to witness the famed Aurora Borealis? Breathtaking!
And for said event to happen twice in the same season? Mind blowing!
Once Helene finally took a hint and spun its unwelcome-self out of town, the climate here has been incomparably outstanding since. The endless sunshine, the not-too-hot/not-too-cold temps combined with a delightful break in the humidity have made hiking much more enjoyable across all elevations. The vistas from the trails and the summit have been grand and endless, with countless travelers taking note. And although the alternating stretches of drought or deluge have likely thrown the typical leaf change out of whack, there is still plenty of vivid color to soak up among these famously folding hills and hollers. Clear and cool nights (the last few well into the 30s) have certainly enhanced the solar spectacles from Cliff Tops and Myrtle Point, prompting any onlooker to contemplate just how many variations of orange and yellow there truly are on the color spectrum. Then how about that aurora? No clouds to be had this go-round, as striking streaks of pinks, purples, and greens stretched from all horizons and seemed to shine stronger as the night when on. Running wide-eyed among the rustic cabins and stoic trees to explore differing vantage points of the heavenly display created a sensation similar to that felt by an energetic and wishful youth on Christmas morning.
Now on to the human denizens of the mountain…
With road accessibility across the region continuing to increase after last week’s flooding devastation, more visitors are finding their way to the national park. That means epic October crowds hitting the scenic drives and favorite footpaths…Mt. LeConte regularly chief among them. Eager ascenders, reveling in their summiting achievement, are intent on snagging their well-earned merchandise, namely this 100th Season’s most-popular-highly-sought-after-and-it’s-not-even-close “I Hiked It” edition shirt. Another overnight crowd, hankering for a hearty meal whose warmth hits the spot on a cool night, with decades-long repeat residents complimenting the cooking left only to question their potential over-indulgence upon tackling one last climb to Cliff Tops for a must-see sunset. And as the sun and moon successfully complete another hand-off, while stars and geomagnetic storms dance and play, a satisfied crowd of like-minded travelers gather in the hallowed hall to mingle, reminisce, and make sweet music. Last night’s participants sang a lineup of well-known Appalachian hits deep into the night, forging memories to last a lifetime.
The magic of the mountain and the enduring spirit of the Lodge rolls on as bright, boisterous, and full of life as it ever has these past 100 seasons. Making it all possible, the natural world does its part while a tested and committed crew through smiles, sweat, and sturdy backs tend to the rest.
It’s going to be a gorgeous weekend. Sunny skies, afternoon highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. And we can’t forget to mention that this morning saw our first evidence of frost this autumn, as several patches of grass tips were turned a crunchy white. Expect crowds galore throughout the park from sunup to sundown on the coming days!
Have a great day.
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