Hello Ed,

I feel that I know you very well after reading about a lot of your hikes up Mt. LeConte. My wife and I vacationed for many years in Gatlinburg and loved The Smokey Mountains. Cades Cove was her favorite place although traffic was heavy. We usually went there on a week day to miss some of the crowds.

My wife loved to hike and we did a lot while our 4 children were growing up in The Blue Ridge Mountains of Va. She even hiked Mt. Rogers (5729ft) the highest point in Va., Mt. Mitchell, Clingsmans Dome. She made it 3/4 of the way up Rainbow Falls but her arthritic knee prevented her from completing the climb. Of coarse this was in her later years. We never attempted LeConte but I always wanted to.

My wife died 11/8/03 and life has not being the same. Fortunately, I have great support from my family and friends. One of my sons lives in Roanoke, Va. and does a lot of hiking in The Blue Ridge Mountains and The Appalachian Train. When I mentioned hiking Mt. LeConte, He said when.

We left Roanoke on 10/18/04 for a 5 day trip to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Smokey Mountains/Cherokee area for some hiking and visiting Dollywood and seeing some of the musicals in the area.

On Oct. 21st, we started our climb to Mt. LeConte. This being our 1st time, we kind of felt our way and didn't get to parking area until 9:30am and was lucky to get a spot. Will start earlier next time.

Took our time and admired the beauty although it was overcast and couldn't see very far in the distance. Many people on trail today. Just before we got to Alum Cave, I saw this man coming down and I said to him, "Ed Wright" and he said no! Then I said "Tillroe Smith" and he said yes and how did you know. I told him about reading a lot of your stories and looking at the pictures. We probably talked for 45 Min. and Tillroe explained that he was going to parking lot, eat lunch and then climb again.

We continued our climb to the lodge. We went in the dining hall and looked around and looked out the back deck. Then we went in office, looked around and signed booked. We were going to eat lunch on the deck but it started raining, so we ate inside. Short shower so we headed out to I believe it was cliff top, can't remember and then on to Myrtle's Point. I wanted to see everything while I was up there.

On the way back down, we overtook Tillroe on his 2nd trip so we followed him and chatted back to trailhead. Tillroe a very likeable person.

My son and I will be leaving for The Smokies and Pigeon Forge again on Dec. 6th and plan to hike LeConte again probably on Dec. 7th (Pearl Harbor Day). Wished you could be there so I could meet you. Feel as if I know you after reading a lot of the stories.

I think we will go by Tillroe's and see if he is in town before we hike. Hope my ramblings are not too long and maybe someday, we will meet on Mt. LeConte.

Bill Bryant