Page 24 - SMH 2018 3rd edition

by Cindy Myers

When I was a child I had a list of toys I wanted for my birthday, and as I grew into a teenager
that list changed to clothes, jewelry, and makeup. But now that I am an adult, that list has be-
come less about material things, and more about experiences in life and how special they are.

This year for my birthday all I asked for was to see the llamas make their way up the mountain
to the Lodge on Mt. LeConte. The llamas have an important job to do. Since 1986 they have
been responsible for carrying supplies to and from the lodge. There are no roads to the sum-
mit, so the only way to get to the lodge is to hike one of the five trails that lead to the top.
The llamas, led by their wrangler, make the trek up to the lodge three times a week by hiking
up Trillium Gap. Each llama has a pack filled with supplies that include food, bedding, and
other essentials. Along the way they walk behind Grotto Falls and make a few stops to break for alfalfa treats. Once
the llamas reach the lodge, the supplies are unloaded and each llama is rewarded with pancakes, biscuits, and lots of
attention from the guests.

On the morning of my birthday hike, a friend and I set out for Trillium Gap to
see if we could catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures. As we approached the
trailhead, there they were being unloaded from their trailer and preparing to make
their journey. I was so excited! My friend and I hiked on ahead to Grotto Falls
and waited to catch a glimpse as they hiked behind the waterfall. After finding a
spot to sit on a rock, I turned around and I saw them coming! Immediately we
start snapping pictures and I am filled with joy. I was smiling as big as that child
who received that toy or that teenager who finally gets those new designer jeans
on her birthday.
For years to come I will always remember my 40
th
birthday, sitting on that rock with my friend and
watching those beautiful animals, that I had never seen
before, carry supplies to the Lodge. You see, the toys
and designer jeans are just things that are long gone.
At that time, they made me happy for a brief while, but
now I don’t have much recollection of them. I grew
up. The toys were given away, sold, or thrown in the
trash. Those designer jeans, I outgrew or gave away
when they were no longer in style. For my birthday
this year I will always have the pictures, the memories
of the way I felt seeing those llamas, the smiles, the
laughter, and the friendship. Those experiences can
never be sold, thrown in the trash, or given away. The
most beautiful things in life are not things. It is peo-
ple, places, memories, pictures, feelings, moments,
laughter, and smiles.

24 Smoky Mountain Hiker