Summer In The Smokies

6/7/2011

The rhododendron is looking good around Inspiration Point. It is time to get out and check out the amazing show mother nature puts on this time of year. If you have never experienced the synchronous fireflies in the Smokies, now is the time to do it. Check out this link

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/fireflies.htm

They are a " must" to experience.

Still cool up top. The high yesterday was 69 and sunny. We seem to be in a dry spell for the time being.

Stephanie

6/7/2011 02:13:51 am

We camped in Elkmont campground last week and were able to witness the firefly display. I totally recommend the experience because it was the best light display ever. We hiked to LeConte on Tuesday as well and enjoyed our visit on the top. Nothing like the great outdoors!!!!

Susan

6/7/2011 02:16:41 am

Hi to all,

Our family will be camping at Elkmont next month and cannot wait! We are hiking up to the lodge as well and spending the night. We absolutely love it!

i have tried to start hiking / walking more to preparing but with working, it can be challenging. And here in Missouri, there are ticks and it is no fun hiking when you are loaded with those things.

Take care all!

George

6/7/2011 05:26:20 am

Ticks! Yikes! We have them here in the east too Susan. FYI, if you find a tick on yourself, you should place it in a sealed container and save it in case you develop symptoms of Lyme disease.

Susan

6/7/2011 05:40:33 am

George,
Thank you for the tip. I didn't think about that. The ticks are really bad this year. We went camping memorial day weekend and had so many. I thought alcohol killed them but it didn't work. Do we have these down in the Smokies?

George

6/7/2011 06:06:55 am

Yes, we have ticks. The recommended method of removal is to cover the ticks head with a small dab of vaseline. This causes the tick to 'unplug' and back out on its own. Much safer than trying to pull an attached tick off of yourself.

Dr JFK

6/7/2011 06:17:31 am

Ticks are the leading carriers (vectors) of diseases to humans in the United States, second only to mosquitoes worldwide. It is not the tick bite but the toxins, secretions, or organisms in the tick's saliva transmitted through the bite that causes disease.

Unfortunately, many people think they know how to remove ticks, but most common tick-removal methods result in increasing the chances of infection. The greatest concern in removing a tick is the possible transmission of disease. Methods of removal that stimulate the tick to spit out even small amounts of their blood meal, or to pass infected saliva back into the host, may increase the likelihood of disease transmission.

Commonly used methods such as a hot match head touched to the hind parts of the tick, to covering or "painting" the tick with paint, nail polish, petroleum jelly, or gasoline, may cause additional injury to the host (humans, dogs, cats) as well as stimulate the tick to produce more pathogen-containing secretions into the bite site.

Using the tweezers, carefully flip the tick over onto its back. Grasp the tick firmly with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible. Apply gentle pulling until the tick comes free. Twisting or turning the tick does not make removal easier because the mouthparts are barbed; in fact, such actions may break off the head and mouthparts, thereby increasing the chances for infection.

Jacque J

6/7/2011 08:38:12 am

Beautiful picture Allyson! I would love to see the fireflies! That sounds so cool!

Jamie Barnes

6/7/2011 08:58:44 am

Any suggestions on how early to arrive at Sugarlands to catch the shuttle to Elkmont? I'm from the St. Louis area and we have a group staying at the lodge Friday 6/10. We'll be down sometime Thursday afternoon or early evening. I'd like to catch the fireflies but I have no idea how early you'd need to get to Sugarlands. Thanks! Can't wait for our hike up Friday!!

Susan

6/7/2011 09:26:15 am

Jaime,

Check with the Visitors Center to see the schedule. And make sure you bring chairs. You will truly enjoy the fireflies!

Marilyn

6/7/2011 11:20:24 am

I'm thinking when we viewed the fireflies a couple years ago we went to the visitors center around 6 pm as we wanted to make sure we had a place to park our car. But I don't remember when they started the shuttle service. I know that we were waiting at least 3 hours once we got to Elkmont for them to appear because it didn't get dark too soon. And Jaime is correct...be sure to bring chairs..we didn't have any because we didn't learn about the fireflies until we were already in the Smokies and had to either stand or sit on the rocks we could find. But it was worth it..they are awesome!

Kat

6/7/2011 01:40:07 pm

Shuttles start leaving Sugarlands @ 7:00 We arrived at 5:30 last Sat. and 2 cars in our group were turned back because the parking lot was full.

Allison I love the blog and all the pictures and info. Got my shirt on 4/18. Hope to get back to the top again this summer and I am 65

Cathy

6/7/2011 02:10:46 pm

I appreciate all the comments about older folks hiking for the first time. I really want to try it and these comments are very encouraging. Thanks so much. You'll are very nice people!!

Judy G link

6/8/2011 12:27:24 am

Susan,

Back to the comment about not being able to hike because of the ticks and working in preparation for your trip up to LeConte. A friend who hiked LeConte numerous times did the stairs at work during lunch hour and break times. He was in great shape for the hike without stepping foot on a trail!!! Depending on how much weight you carry you might want to practice with a pack and boots. Good Luck,

Susan

6/8/2011 02:15:43 am

Judy,

Thank you for the great tip. We have stairs at home so I will start tonight. And thank you Dr. JFK for giving me the great info on the ticks. I wish i had you here when we come across those things. I have finally gotten the younger child to not scream when one lands on her. You would have thought someone was beating her!

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Summer In The Smokies

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