“DEVIL'S NOSE” BY WINNIE SEALS (published 5-1-2022; article #317)

Introduction

The first article today was a rough draft that I finally finished. This is another rough draft that I am finishing today.

The fourth anniversary of the passing of my mother-in-law (Phyllis Ann House Gordon, 4/10/1941–4/30/2017) was yesterday. The celebratory article that I published yesterday helped Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and her family survive the sad memory of my mother-in-law's passing.

One of the four subsections in the first article today is about the CHS Yearbook. I was too late to have my website advertised in the 2022 yearbook. I did donate the price of a yearbook, so a student who could not afford it could have one as a gift. Winnie (Winn) Seals and I conversed by phone on 3/29/2022 as folks from Hawkins County, Tennessee, do. She is a teacher at the Cherokee High School and a member of their yearbook staff.

We both have an interest in Devil's Nose Mountain in Hawkins County. On this website, the Topic Section Devil's Nose includes five articles that I have published so far over the years.

Winnie (Winn) Seals emailed me her painting of Devil's Nose in two images and her poem, “Devil's Nose.” She granted me permission on 3/29/2022 to publish her painting and poem, citing her full name in a future article once I got around to writing it. Well, Winn, here it is! I will email you after I publish this article, as I promised on 3/29/2022!

Winn Seals' Devil's Nose Painting

In her second email from 3/29/2022, Winnie (Winn) Seals wrote, “Here is my work from Devil's Nose Inspiration.” It inspired me. I hope it inspires those who read this article.

Winn Seals' “Devil's Nose” Poem

The following is the poem “Devil's Nose” by Winn Seals. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Devil’s Nose

Sunlight breaks through the clouds
Revealing a mountain peak.
Sloping up from the valley below.
A crooked nose
Seen from far away.

At the foot of the summit
The valley hovers in its shadow.

Over two centuries ago
When the valley was settled
Folks made the climb.

The long trek up the bridge of the nose
Ascends in a challenging slant.
Crosses a shallow stream.
     Clamber.
          Stumble.
               A rugged trail.

Near the top of the trail
It ends in a flat surface.
     Peaceful.
          Tranquil.
               God’s place.

An early traveler once asked,
“What’s the mountain's name?”
The mountain pioneer replied,
“The Devil knows.”

– Winn Ann Seals

Conclusion

How Devil's Nose got its name is a mystery. One theory is included in Winnie Seals' poem. The mountain, viewed from the east, looks like a crooked nose, as Winn's poem mentions. Another theory is that someone hiked Devil's Nose and never returned. The question from many decades ago was, “Where did he go?” The reply was, “Only the devil knows.”

I started tracking my hiking record on 4/23/2000. It lists ten hikes on Devil's Nose from 2/16/2002 to 11/29/2013. My “bionic” life, which started on 3/29/2016, has forestalled a future hike on Devil's Nose, but only for now!

When will I hike Devil's Nose again? God only knows!

Thank you, Winnie Seals, for allowing me to share your painting and poem on my website. It took me a while to get to it in the context of “life, such as it was.” You are welcome to reprint or publish this article by any means as you wish. Let's get a group together for a Devil's Nose hike this fall!

This entry is the sixth in the Devil's Nose Topic Section. Will there be more? We will see, as the Lord wills.