Gregory's Bald

Also on our trip to see the Fireflies of Elkmont, we hunted down the azalea blooms on Gregory Bald. It was a 4.5 mile hike up along Gregory Bald Trail. To get to the trailhead, we were forced down a one lane, one-way, gravel road, which had a rock slide at the other end blocking entrance back into Tennessee and forcing us into North Carolina. Oh my! We also spotted this big guy on our way in. I'm glad we were still in the car, because had I been on foot, I'm sure I would have ran, hence identifying myself as "dinner".



The azaleas came in many colors and only on the bald. It makes the hike worth it, because you have to get all the way to the top to see the orange, pink, and red blooming shrubs that cover the entire bald. There was also a very well fed deer enjoying the azaleas and all the visitors to Gregory Bald that day. We squatted under a tree to enjoy lunch and get out of the short blast of rain, then started the 4.5 miles downhill and back to the car.













Then our adventure through North Carolina began. We ended up on a stretch of road known as the Dragon, which includes 318 curves in 11 miles and photographers at every key point to snap your photo as you fly around the curve in a super sporty fashion. After trying to get off the dragon for an hour and half we end up on Cherohala Skyway...40 miles of nothing but curves at 5000 ft elevation. We should have known that any road suggested to us by a motorcylce lodge owner would be for motorcyclists! Although the curving switchbacks were more than I could handle for 3 hours, it was an amazing drive.





Some of the best views of the Appalachian Mountains I've ever seen, not to mention one of the strangest road signs...



If you know what it means or might mean, I'm taking ideas.

They do exist!

So we saw the fireflies! We arrived in Elkmont pretty late and still had to set up our tent. I wasn't sure if fireflies were out all night or if they had to sleep like the rest of us. When we first got to the "secret spot" we didn't see anything. There would be one light up every once in a while, but nothing you would call synchronized. We were a bit disappointed and thought we had missed the timeframe for these guys. So we got up and decided to walk around in the woods for a bit. As a side note, we weren't the only crazy people blundering around in complete and total darkness. There were tons of people out there! No lights...no nothing...just the woods and the fireflies. So we found our second spot to sit down for a bit and the fireflies in this area were synchronized to an extent, but still not what I was thinking. One would light up and all the others would rush to light up at the same time, but they stayed on for a while, then they would all go back out pretty much at the same time and then do it all again.

People kept walking past us, as if there were something special about a place further into the forest, so of course, we followed! I mean, who wouldn't. I couldn't see a thing. I was just hoping I didn't fall into some endless pit or walk over someone sitting in the trail in front of me.

And then we found it! The magic! We got to a little clearing in the woods and these fireflies were really putting on a show! They flashed in a very fast pattern...flash, flash, flash, flash, flash, pause for 20 seconds, and then again. And they were all doing it in unison. It was incredible. This is something everyone must see.

P.S. - My pictures turned out nothing but darkness. I guess the lightning bugs didn't put off enough light to expose anything. Too bad. That just means you will have to go see for yourself.

Synchronous Fireflies

Yes, I know this sounds made up, but apparently it's not. In only two places in the world, Elkmont, TN and somewhere else that doesn't matter, this species of fireflies exists. They blink simultaneously as a mating call. They only live as adults for about 20 days and the middle 2 weeks of June is when they are out in the Smokies.

I'm on my way here in about 10 minutes to see these beauties. I will attempt to take some night shots as proof. But in case that doesn't work out, I will write about my findings.

Happy Camping!

Lady in Pink

This past weekend, I joined Jesse and a few of his friends on their yearly trip to Rock Island, TN. I had been there once before with a group of girls (also a fun trip), but we didn't find the cliffs and waterfalls. Found them this time! Of course, we started off at the biggest cliff...about 30 to 40 feet above the water. I have jumped from this height several times in the past...two or three times at Percy Priest Lake and once at a Rock Quarry in Knoxville. For some reason, it seemed dangerous this time. It must be because I'm getting older. :( Anyways, I jumped and we all had a blast. I fell several times on the slick rocks and panicked under a waterfall, but after it was all said and done, it was a good day!

I also made a friend...teaching him how to jump off cliffs. He referred to me as "lady in pink". :) Guess I've officially moved from "girl" to "lady".

First trip to Rock Island

porch furniture

Who doesn't love sitting on the porch in a nice retro metal chair. What's so special about these guys is there slinky design. When you sit down, the metal actually gives just enough to create a sling of sorts around your rump. Not to mention the nice flowing form.

XOXO

Stink sent me flowers to my office today! I will admit that the first thing that comes into my head when something like this happens is "Oh my goodness...I'm so embarrassed...Where can I hide?" But after years of pretending I hate flowers and never getting them, I've learned to really enjoy these little moments. (Awww sweet! Yeah I know.) The best part is when the bouquet is full of flowers I've never seen before...cool shapes and colors, etc. Pictures to follow...

The Birds!

Although the title eludes to the 1963 horror film, it's not quite that scary. I will say, when the birds started dive bombing me, it got a little too real. Luckily, I was smart enough to go inside.

They spent all day building up their nest currently situated in the soffit of the front porch. That's right! Front and center eye sore. There's no way Dad will let it last a minute past the second he sees it.

"The Stare Down"


"The Escape"


"Bringing in the Goods"


"The Nest"