Hike 1308 7/23/08 This hike was planned to tie in with a visit with our daughter Peggy Haythorn and her family in Chapel Hill, NC. Our planned visit on July 5, 2008 was cancelled because of the death of my sister Hope Wright Compton. We attended her funeral in Decatur, Alabama and I dedicate this hike to her memory.

My sons were busy and could not accompany me on this hike so my plans were iffy at best. I had to discourage some great friends from joining me because I was not certain of my driving time. If I could safely drive the 750 miles plus to Cherokee, NC in one day I would do that. If I became tired and considered it unsafe to drive the distance in one day, I wanted the freedom to stop along the way and spend the night. Glen Weatherly lived in Pigeon Forge and wanted to join me. I told him to call the Best Western in Cherokee Tuesday evening July 22, 2008 and see if I had checked in. He could easily join me at the trailhead because he would be closer to it than I would be. 

I did make the drive in one day but experienced an unbelievable heavy rain between Maggie Valley, NC and Cherokee, NC. US Route 19 was 6" deep in water and the rain was coming down so hard that it was difficult to see one car length in front of you. I did make it safely to the Best Western and hoped that the rain for this area was over for at least a day.

The Best Western was out of no smoking rooms but because of notifying my family and Glen that I would be staying there, I booked the room anyway. By opening the vent on the air-conditioner and putting it on High cool, the room was breathable when I returned from Dinner. Pat called while I was out so she knew that I had arrived safely. Glen called after I returned from dinner and we agreed to meet at the trailhead. I warned him that if Hardee's was fast serving the 6:00a.m. breakfast that I intended to get to the trailhead as early as possible. I made it to the trailhead by 6:45 a.m.. Glen was not there but I went ahead anyway because I had a long drive to Chapel Hill after completing the hike. It was 52 degrees and cloudy. That was a welcome change from 90 degrees and sunny in Jensen Beach, Florida. Glen is a fast hiker so I knew that he would see my car and overtake me quickly.

Glen overtook me before I reached the first foot log. He would have done it quicker but he paused to take pictures of a tree in the trail near the half mile location. He will include the picture in his trail volunteer Trip report. We exchanged greetings and continued our upward climb. We stayed in the fog so I did not take any pictures until we reached the bluff. I took a picture of Glen in the fog before Ron Valentine showed up. It is hard to believe that he has already been to the lodge and back. Glen is a fine guy and a good photographer. He sent me lots of pictures that he took with his camera. They can be identified by a date stamp on the picture. He also took some pictures with my camera. They can be identified with me in the picture and no date stamp.

We took a snack break at Gracie's Pulpit. Shortly after resuming our hike, we rounded a corner and I was greeted by name by two backpackers from Findlay, OH. Rather than to write flattery about my self I will let their e-mail do it for me. Here is the message:  

When we reached the lodge, we chatted with a couple and their son from Grand Rapids, MI. They were related to AT thru Hiker of the AT 2004 by Ben Reushel "Officer Taco." I filled my CamelBak, took a picture of the new woodwork on the lodge office and took the traditional picture of the dining room. While we were at the dining room area, Glen and I took pictures of flowers blooming outside the window. We photographed a cone flower and crimson bee balm and an immature cone flower. We also photographed Monks Hood. We returned to the lodge office, signed the register and visited with other hikers as we ate our lunches.

We then retired to the porch and continued visiting with guests and other hikers. A grandmother from Nashville was there with her daughter and grandson.  She wanted a picture made with me holding him. I felt like a politician. The Lady sent me the following e-mail: 

Dear Mr. Wright, I sat down at my computer tonight to write to you, send you copies of the pictures we took of you at Mt. LeConte July 23rd and found you have just posted your trip report from that hike! I'm the grandmother of the little toddler we took pictures with on the porch at the lodge. I've had the pleasure of seeing you several times on the trail in the past. I'm from Nashville, but Liam, his twin, Kai & his mom, Heather are from Miami. I have permanent reservations and my daughter enjoys the hike so much, she drove from Miami w/twin 15 mo olds, left one parent & twin at the other grand's house in GA & backpacked that little guy up Alum trail! She stopped traffic frequently as he was charming & engaging & no one believed she was backpacking him & his gear up Alum. We really enjoyed seeing his delight in all the new sights and touches of the mountain. He may end up loving the place almost as much as you do! I'm attaching a few photos from that excursion & meeting but your picture of the three of you is much better than mine. You'll have to forgive the photos, I'm a new grandma & love seeing this little one get so much delight out of the mountain! We were so tickled to be able to take little Liam's picture during his very first LeConte hike with Mr. Wright who was making his 1308th trip up. We'll have stories to tell him when he's a bit older. We didn't mean to make you feel like a politician but were truly delighted that we could record that meeting! Many thanks for visiting with us during your lunch break. I wish you continued good health, wonderful hikes and here's hoping we get to cross your path again someday! Fondly, Judy Mahone, Nashville ____________________________________________________________

There was also a lady from Miami, Fl with her niece and nephew. It had cleared some so I took a picture of High Top with the new banister in the foreground. In the meanwhile Glen was photographing a resident boomer squirrel doing tricks while begging for handouts.

As we passed the outhouses, I spotted a young Carolina Junco out of the nest. It was here that I discovered that my new camera only took one close-up shot before reverting back to regular focus. Sorry about the bird being out of focus, but around outhouses Stuff happens. We were surprised by spotting a group of Spring Beauties just below the site of the old horse gate. These young ladies were from a Tennessee track team. They overtook and passed us at the bluff on their way down. Glen Weatherly even submitted the photo to GoSmokies in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

There was a friendly lady at Margaret's Place, on her way to the lodge. A short time later we met a couple resting on rocks. I kidded him about his Auburn cap in Vol Country. I then turned around and showed him my Auburn cap. It was too hot to wear so I attached it to my pack. I really meet lots of Auburn folks hiking this trail. The next three guys broke the mold. One young guy had a Georgia Tech cap and the other had a Georgia Bull Dog cap. I snatched the Georgia Tech cap and related the story that when we visited Georgia Tech for a football game we were required to steal a cap. Georgia Tech was Auburn's fiercest rival during my days at Auburn. That was before Auburn resumed play with Alabama and Tech joined the ACC.

As we approached Grassy Slide, we saw a family trying to catch a salamander. I thought of out grandsons Austin and Charlie. That is their main lure to hike the trail. They finally caught it but it lost part of its tail. 

I saw a new flower on this trail,  just below the upper steps. It was a Turk's-cap lily. They are a very common flowers in the park but I had never seen one on this trail before today. I took a picture from a different angle but I like the picture that Glen took better.

The uphill part of the trail from the saddle to Gracie's Pulpit, gave me an excuse to rest and photograph some Rosebay rhododendrons. They were blooming from the trailhead to near the upper steps but it was too foggy during the morning hike. We met a couple of guys from Sarasota, FL at Gracie's Pulpit. One of the guys attended Manatee College, where Lynda Platone works. I took a snack break at the pulpit before heading on down. We had to take a shot of the top Of Little Duck Hawk Ridge and listen and watch for the falcons but I did not see or hear any.

The spring beauties were just leaving the bluff area as we arrived. I just had to get a last glimpse of them as they left us. It started to sprinkle as we took a break at Inspiration Point. I took the time to put my camera away. In the meanwhile Glen took a picture of another boomer squirrel.

There was no more sprinkles but I did not get my camera back out. It was 58 degrees when we arrived at the parking lot at 3:45 p.m.. We said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways. Thanks a million Glen for hiking with me. For those that I discouraged from trying to join this hike, I am sorry that I could not give you a firm schedule. When you get to almost 83 you will understand.

Bob and family are planning to hike the Sunday before Labor Day. I will be 83 plus then.