the blue ghost fairies
Last week I got a text from Hannah telling us what we needed to do on Sunday night.
So, you know, we did what Hannah said.
And what Hannah said to do was this:
Get in your car and drive to DuPont Forest in North Carolina.
Get out of your car and walk in the woods.
Stand in awe at what you see.
We did what Hannah said.
We took some friends with us.
We drove to DuPont Forest and arrived at 8:30 p.m.
We parked at the High Falls parking lot.
We wandered to the covered bridge to wait until darkness fell.
Hannah went into Outdoor Educator Mode and taught our kids some cool stuff and made me feel good about my haphazard recent school schedule when she said our kids were smart and knew the answers to her science questions.
When darkness fell we walked back to the trail.
It was Memorial Day weekend so there were literally a gob of people there. (A gob.)
And that was sort of a mood dampener – but not enough to really get us down.
We walked the trail into the woods.
And, you guys!
We saw a pixie land. A fairy land. A whimsical, other worldly apparition.
The blue ghost fairies!
These incredible fireflies that glow blue for such long extended periods that it seems as if the entire forest bed is aglow.
It was magic.
I held Bergen’s hand and together we just stood in awe of what our eyes could hardly comprehend.
A perfect moment.
Blue lights – the boy fireflies – showing off for their loves. Sustained blue hovering brightness that my brain couldn’t quite figure out what to do with.
We would walk a little and stop a little – finding different spots along the trail where the watching and the staring was best.
It was as if we’d stumbled into the Shire. Or we had happened upon another world that was our rare privilege to watch the glow and the dance of such blue happiness.
I’m telling you – it was just a fabulous event to witness.
I will not forget it.
Apparently these little magicians only perform for about two weeks in certain parts of Southern Appalachia.
And their show is still on stage the rest of this week.
So – I don’t have all of your numbers, but if I did – I’d send you all a text that says:
Get in your car and drive to DuPont Forest in North Carolina.
Get out of your car and walk in the woods.
Stand in awe at what you see.
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13 Comments
shannon medlin
does this happen at this time of year every year
laceykeigley
I don’t honestly know but I believe that it does.
Heather Snyder
Hey so when you get there how do you know where to go? Are there signs or a trail or people that work there or something? Also are there restrooms?
Karen Johnson
Sounds fascinating. I had never ever seen a firefly in my life until a year ago January, visiting here in Mexico….what a thrill, I was almost giddy. But now, rainy season is approaching within the next couple of weeks and they are slowly coming out at night. I hear that they are absolutely FABULOUS……and I can hardly wait for their full-fledged arrival!!!
laceykeigley
That sounds great!
Lisa
Lacey, do you think Saturday night would be too late? My son took this weekend off and we are looking to do something as a family. This sounds awesome!!
laceykeigley
It’s worth a try – it’s beautiful regardless – but I would not want to offer any guarantee!
Heather Snyder
Thanks lacey! We’re going to take the kids one night this week!
Heather Snyder
Also does it cost anything? Like a fee to park or get into the dupont state forest. What time is best to get there?
laceykeigley
Totally free!
Heather Snyder
Lacey- what time does this start and end at night. We were considering going down one night this week after work. We were wondering how late a night it would be for the kids(2 are in public school) since we have an hour drive home to consider. Also do you know how much longer this goes on this year. This weekend we can’t but next weekend we could go but I wasn’t sure if it’d still be going on June 5.
laceykeigley
It just begins after dark – we saw them around 9 or 9:10. It was a late night but totally worth it.
I don’t know if they will be out June 5 – it’s just this short two week window and they’ve already been out a week – but it is a gamble you could try. IT is nature – so it is unpredictable. 🙂
pennny mcginnis
I wish I’d been there. Hannah told me about them. Sounds amazing.