Townsend Campground News Letter

Misty River Cabins & RV Resort 

5050 Old Walland Hwy. Walland TN 37886

June 2011

Tent Sites now

Available

Gas Saver Deal !
 

 Book ANY 2 consecutive weekends and leave your RV unplugged at same campsite during the week for FREE*!

Add $3/day to leave it plugged in. Special is pending site availability. Minimum Nite requirements apply.

It’s the Synchronous fireflies at Elkmont. 

June 4 to June 12th

 Just one of 14 species of fireflies that live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park . They are the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns. Fireflies (also called lightning bugs) are beetles. They take from one to two years to mature from larvae, but will live as adults for only about 21 days. Their light patterns are part of the adulthood mating display. Each species of firefly has characteristic flash pattern that helps its male and female individuals recognize each other. Most species produce a greenish-yellow light; one species has a bluish light. The males fl and the usually stationary females respond with a flash. Peak flashing for synchronous fireflies in the park is normally within a two-week period in mid-June. 

No one is sure why the fireflies flash synchronously. Competition between males may be one reason: they all want to be the first to flash. Or perhaps if the males all flash together they have a better chance of being noticed, and the females can make better comparisons. The fireflies do not always flash in unison. They may flash in waves across hillsides, and at other times will flash randomly. Synchrony occurs in short bursts that end with abrupt periods of darkness. 

Seats on the shuttles are expected to sell out quickly. You can call 448-8838 or book online at cadescoveht.org. Visitors can bring lawn chairs, and carry food and water in backpacks which can fit on their laps in the trolleys; there are no services (bath rooms)  available at the site. Visitors are prohibited from bringing coolers, alcoholic beverages and their pets.

Synchronous Fireflies Light Show Etiquette
 

Flashlights disrupt the fireflies and impair people's night vision.

The light show is best when you:

Cover your flashlight with red or blue cellophane.

Use your flashlight only when walking to your viewing spot.

Point your flashlight at the ground.

Turn off your flashlight when you find your viewing spot.

Do not catch the fireflies.

Stay on the trail at all times.

Pack out all of your garbage.

Vintage Spring Camper Rally

in the Smokies 2011

 We had a blast from the past at the Spring Vintage Rally. We are already booking sites for the fall vintage rally on Sept. 8th thru the 10th, 2011.  We have posted some of the photos on our facebook page and will add them to the web site soon.

We want to thank everyone again that attended and you are the only reason we have soooo much fun at the vintage rallies. I can't wait fir the fall to get here.

Just click here for more information about the vintage rally. 

We try to keep our news letters about camping, but we also love our pets that camp with us.

We now have a doggy day care in Maryville. So if you need somewhere to leave Fluffy and don’t want to have your furry child locked up in the camper all day, you can now send them on their own vacation at the Dog World Resort.  They offer daycare, boarding and grooming, to pet sitting and taxi service for your pet.  The Westerling’s that opened Dog World Resort camps with us a lot and you find them around the campfire roasting a marshmallow from time to time. We have seen the great care they have given to our four legged friends.  Click here for Dog World Resort web site.

Getting Back To The Basics Of Camping

No matter when you decide to go camping, there are plenty of great places to get away from your urban setting and enjoy the best natural features. Whether you are floating on a raft in the Little River or viewing spectacular mountain scenery in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, there are plenty of fun things to see and do, when you select Misty River Campground for the perfect location for your next camping trip, you will have a great time.

When getting back to the basics of camping, you just have to decide whether you want to rent a  log cabin, pitch a tent at  Misty River Campground or take the RV to a our modernly-equipped RV Park. The best preparation can make the difference in a successful getaway. You can use the Internet to find a packing list or learn about the special events in the area while you plan your vacation.

Packing properly for your trip is one of the basic of camping, but being prepared means you have thought about rain, shine, heat or cold. You also need a basic first aid kit, besides a handy tool kit for your campsite needs. Don’t forget to bring aluminum foil because you can make your meals quite easily, in the event you have coals from the campfire to cook on. Depending on the length of your camping trip, you want plenty of healthy variety in your meals, besides the typical campfire food.

Once you think you have thought of everything, you may want to check your camping gear. You may need a good flashlight, camping stove or lantern and some people like to set up a canopy, to keep things dry or to get out of the sun, in the event of rain or excessive heat and sunburn. You can find two-man tents for less than $50 and larger family tents can be found for around $100, providing many memories from these reasonably-priced pieces of camping gear. Sleeping bags and airbeds might be other comforts to think of for your equipment list.

Regardless, the basics of camping involve getting back to the basics! Each time you go camping, you are likely to add a few things to your list of things to consider for your next trip. There are some people that go camping every year for annual antique car shows, festivals and even, an annual trout fishing trip. Consider visiting the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  A trip that offers many of the best choices will make for a memorable getaway.

Did You Know?  

The Smoky Mountain National Park’s high elevation heath balds are treeless expanses where dense thickets of shrubs such as mountain laurel, rhododendron, and sand myrtle grow. Known as “laurel slicks” and “hells” by early settlers, heath balds were most likely created by forest fires long ago.

         Diane & Jimmy Felton