Good morning, Ed.

 

Well, our group of 17 made it to the top of Mt. LeConte the same day we left!  We had a ball. There are now several more people in love with the mountain.  Here's the story from mine and my husband, Pat's, view. Pat and I have been hiking to the top and spending the night since 1998. We love it. 

 

(I'll let you add in the photos if you don't mind, I haven't learned how to do that yet)

 

July 16, 2006 6:10am, on the way from the motel in Gatlinburg.

6:24am, stop for Sunrise photo with Balsam Point of Mt. LeConte in the background.

6:36am, arrive at the Trail Head for Alum Cave!!  Cool morning. (60's)

6:50am, We start our hike.  Jason and Beverly Perkins are hiking with us. We have 17 other friends starting out on the Boulevard Trail this morning. They started at 7:25am. (That trail may never be the same again.. ha)

7:20am, we pass the "Bear Face" tree.

7:25am, we cross the first foot log. So far we are the only ones on the trail.

7:29am, we cross the second foot log.

 

7:32am, we stop and take a little break.  It's Jason and Bev's first time going to the top so we stop and talk a lot about the trail and what to expect.  We have been planning this trip since last year and are all PUMPED up about it.

 

7:40am, we arrive at Arch Rock.  There we always stop take pictures and have a snack.             

7:59am, we cross the 3rd foot log.

8:24am, we reach Inspiration Point.  What a view. It's partly cloudy, but you can still see forever.

                     Oh, did I mention how beautiful the rhododendrons were?  That was an added bonus. I didn't realize that they would be blooming! Gorgeous! I took a lot of photo's of them.  We have not hiked this trail in July.  So beautiful.

 

8:42am,  We can see the Eye of the Needle. Where we take more pictures. Ooo and Ahh at the view...what a day to be in the woods.

 

8:47am,  We are at the Bluff Steps.   8:54am, The Bluff. YEA!  Here we take our "goofy" pictures.  It really looks like we leaning over, huh?  Thanks to come college "kids" one year who showed us this, we now have our own "fun" pictures of the trip.

 

9:22am,  we are at Gracie's Pulpit.  Time for another snack and rest for a few minutes.

 

9:47am, we arrive at the steps which start what we call "The Forevers". It seems like you just go up and up and up forever. But finally at  10:30am, we are at the next steps and "The Forevers" have ended..yea!

 

At 11:00am we are at the Grassy Slide.  11:13am, We can see Paul's face.

 

At 11:48am WE ARRIVE AT THE LODGE!!  4hours 48minutes

 

We ate our lunch inside because all the rocking chairs are full. Clay check's us in, we buy our T-shirts and head to the house to "freshen" up and take a nap. Finally, some of the group from the Blvd. Trail start to arrive.  They are worn out! But did very well.  Some said they would never do this again, but after they rested and soaked their feet, they were fine. (Not sure if the foot soaking was permitted, but it sure felt good)

 

Supper was great! Pat had asked Allison to bake 2 cakes for us for supper. We had 3 couples celebrating their anniversaries in July.  Rick and Karon, Lisa and Terrell, and Jason and Bev. They were surprised!

 

It was good to see that Henry Neal was back from Iraq.  Thanks, Henry, for protecting us.

 

The sunset was great and we had the privilege of having Ranger Katie give a talk about the mountains there on Cliff Tops. She was great! Thanks, Ranger Katie. That was an added bonus.  

Well, I feel like I've said so much, but I haven't even scratched the surface of how much we enjoyed ourselves and our friends.  Thanks to the "crew" on top for making this one of the best times we've had!  Thanks to our friends who went along for a great "ride". I must mention them all by name: (thanks for indulging me) (we all had "Trail Names", but I'll save that for another time)

 

Karon and Ricky McCravy, Jason and Bev Perkins, Randy and Melissa Belcher, Robby and Janet Weber, Billy and Nancy Dial, Lynn Pope, Rita Pope, Deloria Pope, Lisa and Terrell Nail, and of course my hiking buddy and husband for 33 years, Pat Lawley.

 

We can't wait to go again...God Bless!

 

Jeanie Lawley

 

(Ed, I didn't realize how many pictures I was sending...feel free to edit as you please, and where you please...thanks so much for letting me share our adventure)