Free Amenities: Fireflies!

There are few things more magical on a summer evening in north Georgia than fireflies. Catching them for a brief look is easy entertainment for kids. Sitting on a porch watching them float by in the cool of the evening is a prescription for relaxation.

When you have a bottom that blinks, there is more to the story. It's the male fireflies doing the blinking. Each male has his own special twist on the flash. The female stays in the bushes watching the parade of males go by and decides which one has the right blink for her. Did you know that fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are actually a type of beetle? Up close you can see the hard outer wings that hide another set of folded wings underneath.

Like many native insects, firefly numbers are declining. If you catch some to observe, remember to let them go after a few minutes.

Many of our cabins are surrounded by woods. A few with good spots to see fireflies include A Glimpse of Heaven, Buckhead Lodge, Chimney Mountain Chalet, Creekside Haven, Deer Creek at Sunset Peak, Moose Creek Lodge, and Ramblewood. Come enjoy a summer night in the mountains and keep a lookout for lightning bugs just after sunset.