Something strange happens in E. Tennesse every June....

[Highbinder]

For 2 weeks every June Fireflies will get together by the thousands and blink in sychrony

It’s as though they wear little watches,” said Ms. Faust, 56, a biologist and naturalist who has studied fireflies for decades. “It’s awe-inspiring, it’s beautiful, it’s rhythmic and it’s bright. You’re surrounded by the fireflies.”

The secret is out about this marvelously rare and very brief annual spectacle. About a thousand tourists a night come to Elkmont, a small trailhead in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, during the two weeks each June when the country’s largest population of synchronous fireflies puts on what locals call “the light show.”

It’s mind-blowing, like a silent symphony,” said Daniel Carlson, 47, an engineer from Raleigh, N.C., lying flat on a blanket in the forest. “How? Why? Why here? We have no clue.”

So if you have nothing to do in June, head to the Smoky Mountains in E. Tennesse and watch the show and enjoy some of the best mountains roads in the country at the same time...

[Jess from VA]

One of my favorite bugs.   

[henry 008]

"So if you have nothing to do in June, head to the Smoky Mountains in E. Tennesse and watch the show and enjoy some of the best mountains roads in the country at the same time... cooldude "

is that an invite to a ride there, don? the firefly run!

[Valkjerk]

Don, I used to experience what I called the "Lighting of the Lightening Bugs" (self named) just a few blocks from my house here in Louisiana. It was an area about 4 square blocks that wasn't lit by street lights and had huge virgin pine trees all over the place. It only took place a couple nights but was breath-taking to see. Then Katrina destroyed the neighborhood and it hasn't taken place since. I did attend the one in E. Tennessee around Townsend, I believe. It was many years ago and I wasn't aware that it was happening but a local rider told me about it and he and his wife led me and mine out to see the event. Stunning! Timing is of the essence.

[t-man403]

After "InZane" last year, we made our way to Wetumpka Alabama, the home of "DDT".

We were going out for dinner one evening and I stood out front on the drive way just before we left and started to see these flashes going off across the road in the treed area. In an excited voice I said "did you see that! There it is again! What the heck is it?" Bruce in a very calm voice says "Lightning bugs". You mean "Fire flies" I say. "Guess some call them that" Bruce says. I'm all excited and Bruce and Troy are looking at me kinda strange but I had never seen them before so yes, it was a bit of a thrill for me. Would love to see them in your neck of the woods for sure!

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KIo9TYnLFUiGMAxMr7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBzdXJjMXI5BHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMzU-?p=fireflies&vid=cbdaa141509e92a731beca3c3d9e37f9&l=1%3A56&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.607988905050375872%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsC2OkCEdqU4&tit=Synchronous+firefly+display+brings+visitors+to+Elkmont&c=24&sigr=11b9pu5f5&sigt=11mqgvsn2&age=72897368877&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av%2Cm%3Asa&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&tt=b

[Jess from VA]

So it's all about sex.

What else is new.   

[WNGD]

   
Something strange happens in E. Tennesse every DAY............just sayin 

[3fan4life]

So it's all about sex.

What else is new.   

It is what makes the world go 'round..........   

[Mr Whiskey]

Pretty awesome to see! Sugar & I go almost every year. It's usually around the middle two weeks of June, although it has been as early as the end of May.
Let me warn you about the traffic though, it's bad, really bad!
Check here http://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72413 for shuttle passes & plan to spend at least the entire day, (you wanna be here real early).
You wont even be able to get into Gatlinburg after about lunch time, trust me!
We make a day of it, have lunch, maybe see Ripley's (sharks in the mountains, haha).
Bring a back pack with snacks & Subway for dinner. Flashlights with red taillight tape over them so as not to disrupt the show, & a blanket.
Thanks Don for reminding me early this year, we may jus' see if we can reserve a campsite at Elkmont & stay the weekend. Gotta get on that!

PS Jus' checked & Elkmont is already reserved (all 210 sites) for both the weekends, 5th/6th & 12th/13th. Yeah, it's a pretty popular event.

[The emperor has no clothes]

   
Something strange happens in E. Tennesse every DAY............just sayin 

[Highbinder]

"PS Jus' checked & Elkmont is already reserved (all 210 sites) for both the weekends, 5th/6th & 12th/13th. Yeah, it's a pretty popular event."

How about during the week, did you think the crowds would be a lot smaller.?

[Mr Whiskey]

Nothing available at Elkmont from the 4th through the 13th. (These are the days the shuttle will most likely run so the campground gets reserved up 6 mo's in advance.) Place is pretty wide open after that.
  There's rumor you can see 'em jus' the same up in the back of Cades Cove loop (& at Tremont Discovery Center jus' down the street). The campground at Cades Cove is still available, we might try that this year. I know a great place jus' up the road at Tremont (if it had 'em) that I bet would be nearly deserted. One of those "only the locals" swimming holes.
  If interested in the shuttle to Elkmont from Sugarlands then watch the link for parkin' passes to go on sale in April. The advance passes will sell in a matter of minuets!

[Valkjerk]

Yep, now you're jogging my memory a 'lil bit. I think it was Cade's Cove we went to see those little varmints. Isn't that right out of Townsend?

[Mr Whiskey]

Yeppers! You get to see any?

[Gavin_Sons]

My mother in law owns a place in Townsend, maybe we will get down there one of these years to see this spectacle.

[Westernbiker]