Adventure 15 - Fireflies at Elkmont with Kyoo

So we had our high school reunion last week (AH HA! Maybe that was adventure 14). Anyways I ran into Kyoo Jackson (BFF from Kindergarten), and as we were talking we found out that we were both interested in seeing the synchronized fireflies at Elkmont up in the Smoky Mountains National Park.

After a few days of rain and not catching each other at the right time, we ended up meeting up for dinner at Panera (yumm illegal deli meat) and a late night run up to the mountains. It was a great time to catch up as we drove the hour up to Elkmont from Maryville. The distance isn't so far, but those curvy roads at night can be a beast.

Found parking not too far from the trailhead and stumbled our way up the trail in the dark. We were a few days late of seeing the mass of fireflies, but I still have never seen so many in my life. And they don't all flash at the same exact time, but they do cut off and on at about the same time. So it looks like a million tiny photographers out in the woods flashing their cameras. Paparazzi! Or magic! Like little fairies. There were tons of people so it kind of runs the magic mood, but I can only imagine the first people that got to see these fireflies before the crowds discovered how cool it is.

Guess you can't really see the lights from my belly Molly - but I will tell you that it was beautiful and a great opportunity to catch up with an old friend. :o)