Happy Holidays friends.  God has been good to us this year.  I have been really enjoying this holiday season.  It's not always like that though.  Sometimes I forget that we are celebrating the birth of Christ and start feeling like I am fighting a losing battle with every emotionly unstable person I know.   Tis the season for people to start acting crazy!  No one I know will act right.  I would rather armwrestle Santa than have to go to another Holiday Party!!     Crazy isn't it?    I really don't think that we act any crazier this time of year than any other.  It's just a more stressful time.  For some reason we think that people will act right just because it's Christmas.  When I step back, relax and stop taking everthing so seriously (including myslef) then I really start to enjoy this time of year.
   
    So I hope you will join me in this simple Holiday Mantra, "LET GO, LET GOD, ENJOY CHRISTMAS."

    Our family or friends may not come to our house and act normal.  We may feel like we need an armed guard when we go to WalMart.  It may be that a special family memeber or friend comes to visit and lifts our spirits.  Or people are courteous and kind out in public.  It's the Holidays so let's Relax, Take It Easy, and Enjoy Friends, Family, Fellowship and Freedom.  

    We have had some beautiful snow and ice in the upper elevations of the Smokies.  The snow is laying in for more.  It looks like ther may be a lot more snow on the way this weekend through Monday.  I hope to be able to get up in the mountains but the storm may keep me in town.  But weather I'm in town this weekend or up in the back country I am grateful to be here in our beautiful Smoky Mountains during this special time of year.  The beauty of the mountains definatly add a peace and serenity to this sometimes stressful time of year.  It is my hope that if you are feeling the stress of the holidays you can pause to soak up a little of the quiet peace our mountains reflect this time of year.  When you look at the beauty of the Smokies highlighted with snow it is easy to remember what we are suposed to be celebrating this season.

  I had the opportunity to get out of myself a little and give back.  My good friend Steve volunteers to take care of a piece of the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies.  We went up on a cold and rainy day in the fog with tools in hand.  The ground was frozen and the work was hard.  The rewards were priceless.  I was given the opportunity to spend real quality time with someone who understands the personal benefits of giving freely of himself so that others my gain.  Thanks for the chance to give back a little with you Steve!

   While we were cleaning out water bars we encountered a South Bound Hiker.  What a great feeling to see someone freely enjoying this beautiful trail.  From Main to Georgia this mile long stretch off Clingman's Dome Road near Mt. Colin's Shelter is in my opinion the most beautiful piece of the whole trail.  And it has great drainage!

    Hot Springs North Carolina is one of the best kept secrets in th eregion.  I love going there.  This is the view from River Spirit, the bed and breakfast Millie and I enjoyed.  A soak in the hot springs, a hot stone massage and diner at the Iron Horse made for a wonderful time.

    Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina have so much to offer.  I would always rather spend my time enjoying the beauty in our backyard than driving.  What a beautiful place hot springs is!

    What can you say about downtown Ashville NC?  It's one of the hippest places in the world.  The theatre, arts and dining experiences are fantastic.  The music scene is happening and beautiful Biltmore Estate is there to enjoy.  We spent an entire day taking in Biltmore.  The entire estate is a work of art that is filled with works of art. 

    It's been a great trip.  Now it's time to get back to the simple beauty of my Smoky Mountains.

    Thanksgiving has passed and Christmas will be here before we know it.  Winter greets us every morning with it's ice and clean, cool air.  It is a time to be grateful for friends and famiy.  It is a time to be grateful for all we have.   Tha

    Winter is here again and my season on Mt. LeConte has come to a close.  It has been an absolutely beautiful year in the Smokies.  The weather on top of LeConte has been fantastic this year.  Now that winter has come I am back in town.  I plan on being in the stands for every Vols and Lady Vols home basketball game this winter.  When I'm not at UT for a game I plan to be  out in the park hiking and exploring.  I hope to have some beautiful sights to share with you this winter.  I'm getting my winter gear in order to do a little backpacking in the snow as well.  I hope to meet you on the trails this winter or maby in the stands of a UT basketball game!  Until then I hope you stop by from time to time and say hello.

    There are a lot of people that stop by here every day to take a moment to reflect.  I appreciate it and I hope this is can be a place where you can take a moment for a little quiet meditation.  I take in these fantastic views and soak up the serenity of the Smokies daily.  I am grateful to be able to pass along a little of it to you.  I hope we can all take a little more time to meditate on the great peace and serenity around us today.

    In the time I have been able to spend soaking up the beauty of our Smoky Mountains I have learned that there is much more depth to it.  When I am out here I have time to listen to what is really going on inside my head.  In town with all it's distractions and creature comforts I often just let things run round and round inside and go on with life.  But out in the mountains with their overwhealming beauty and quiet serenity I cna listen to what is really going on inside and get into action doing something about it.

    Thank You Veterans.  Without your sacrifice we would not be able to enjoy the freedom and beauty that we often take for granted.  Thank You.

  The vibrant blue skies and ripe red Ash-berries are frosted and covered with snow.  This is the same view from my last post.  I always look forward to the sun coming back out and the light playing off the ice and snow.  While the snow is coming on strong the skies are always gray and gloomy.  But when the weather brakes everything comes alive and shines.

    I caught these images this morning while the sun was still low and the snow was falling.  I love the way ice and snow sculpt these last remnants of Fall.  I'm glad to see the snow and ice back in the Smokies again.