Camping and my bucket list

This weekend I am going camping in the Great Smoky Mountains.  I have never been before but a longtime friend has invited me. The main reason for accepting the invitation is the fireflies.  In the particular area, they have what are know as synchronous fireflies http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/fireflies.htm

It has been on my bucket list to go see them so I am willing to do a little camping to participate.
This also fits along with my free luxuries blog for several reasons

1) Great Smoky Mountains park is FREE!!  When one of the Rockafellers donated money to make the park one of the rules was that the park had to be free to everyone.

2) Borrowed a tent from one of my hiker friends.  Thanks JV.

3) Had a coupon for a free tarp from one of the local hardware stores.

4) No camping bag but I am using an old heavy comforter I have had for years.

5) Food is bring your own and since I have started cooking again, that will be no problem. One of my friends said she was buying me a water bottle about a month ago.  I hope it gets here in time :-)

6) For Lent this year, I gave up on additional electricity (i.e., lights, tv and computers) so I feel pretty comfortable without electricity now.

Well, I am looking forward to and nervous about this trip but I have promised to take pictures and will blog about them soon.


XOXO

ps. I was told to buy some COMET and put a ring around my tent so creepy crawlies don't get in.

Free Attractions

Wll, as many of you know, yahoo.com has come out with a list of free attractions that you can visit.
Best Free Attractions.  It mentions Great Smoky Mountain Park as #2. WooHoo!!!
Even though it is free, I must admit I haven't taken advantage of it as I should.


One thing I have noticed is that when you slow down and take time, you can find some great places to go that are free.  I was walking from the library to the post office and found the cutest little area near our visitor's center that I had never noticed before.  There was a swing, picnic tables and a little stream running by. Since, you can't see it easily from the road I never would have found it if I hadn't been walking.

Even the the great money pit that can be Gatlinburg, we found a cute little park that you can stop for a little rest and playground.  Of course, Gatlinburg is part of the Great Smoky Mountain park system, but this was behind a shopping area.  We wouldn't have found it, if parking hadn't been so bad.