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A
Journey of Self-Rediscovery, March 12, 2007
By
Lynda Platone
On
March 12, 2007, I went on a journey of self-rediscovery along the Alum Cave
Bluff of Mt. LeConte, near Gatlinburg, TN. It was
to be, for me, a journey of emotional and physical healing.
I wasn’t sure about which I was most anxious, my physical ability or my
emotional ability to make the climb. It
was going to be a test of endurance and strength.
I had taken the time for minimal training before the hike and was not
sure how well I would do. My friend
Gail Mihali and I met Ed Wright at the
Hardee’s in Cherokee for breakfast before heading out to the trailhead.
It was a crystal clear, crispy cold morning with the temperature hovering
around 31 degrees. Cindy and Gary
were at the trailhead to greet us and we started off in great company.
I
could hear the Alum Cave Creek whispering to me in the distance and I
was so very excited to begin this journey. The
hike along the creek was enchanting as I imagined wood nymphs and water sprites cavorting along its
banks. About 20 minutes into the
hike I realized that I had forgotten my gloves in the car and my fingers and
hands were becoming painfully cold and numb.
The starkness of the bare
trees along the creek reminded me that spring had yet to make its appearance in
the mountains. About an hour
into the hike I was comfortably warm, including hands and fingers, and was able
to take off my jacket.
A
short while later a delightful young man by the name of Glen
Weatherly caught up to us and stated that he was
happy to be able to make this hike with Ed.
Ed particularly likes to make the hike on the day that the helicopter
is making the supply drop to begin the new season and I was thrilled to join
him.
As
I crossed the footbridge with Ed, I reveled in the wonder of finally making the
I
was feeling pretty good about my physical and emotional state and realized that
I was right in my decision to make this hike. My
heart and soul belong to the mountains and I was embraced within their healing
solace.
At Inspiration Point, Tillroe Smith caught up to the group and we were all delighted to see him join us for the rest of the hike. He’s quite a character and had us laughing all the way up the mountain. Tom Grubbs from Boaz, AL, also caught up to us here………must be a reason it’s called “Inspiration Point.” We now had a happy little group trooping up the mountainside.
Winter
was evident along the trail with icy patches cropping
up here and there. We all navigated
one particularly slippery patch successfully. The
views were spectacular and I felt as if I were truly in God’s country.
The
mountains looked nothing like my home state, Florida. The row
after row of mountains were a beautiful site. They were very rugged
looking. I’ll
never forget my first bird’s eye view of the Eye of the Needle.
I listened intently for the cry of the peregrine falcons but I never did hear them.
We took a short break at the Bluffs but were soon headed off again to traverse more of the trail, including the log stairs.
At
long last, we were nearing our destination of the LeConte
Lodge. We had been hearing and seeing
the helicopter flying back and forth
and were
soon to be rewarded for our efforts when we would find ourselves in the thick of
it all at the top! The scent of the
Frasier Firs
along this last leg of the journey was invigorating and brought home to me
memories of Christmas. There was
still quite a bit of ice and snow along this part of the trail. It was
a balmy 44 degrees
at the lodge and the crew was working a production line stocking and storing
supplies.
We all took a much needed break as we watched the supplies being
delivered and took the opportunity for some photo
ops with
Tillroe and Cindy was busy chatting, Cindy and Ed
were chatting and being friendly. I got a picture of Cindy
directing traffic from the porch. Of course, we had to have the obligatory picture
of Gail and I at the dining room,
unfortunately since the lodge was not officially open the date was not posted.
We stayed at the top for about an hour and then headed back down the mountain. The return journey was just as awe-inspiring as the ascent; the views just as spectacular. We descended Betty Jane's stairways to heaven. I guess that it would be called "From Heaven" on the way down. The view of Clingmans Dome from Grassy slide was lovely as usual. We stopped to rest several times on the way down and I took the opportunities to take photo's.
The
journey was everything I had hoped it would be and more, for although I was
exhausted and very sore………I came away invigorated, renewed and feeling
better in mind, body and spirit than I had felt in too long.
The breathtaking beauty of the mountains and Mother Nature at her most
miraculous self reawakened my love of life and my long lost happy and loving
spirit. I am blessed to have had the
opportunity to make the journey and along the way to meet new friends with whom
I now have a special bond………..the love of Mt. LeConte…………I will be
back! Thank you, Ed
Wright, I could
not have done it without you!!!!!
PS:
This hike is dedicated to the one who made it possible for me to
accomplish by his introduction to me of Ed’s website………my very special
friend, Tennesseewildman………My Love…………You should have been
there……..
PPS:
Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your photos and allowing me to use them for
my journal after my dinosaur HP digital decided not to cooperate!
