FIREFLY FISHING LODGE & RETREAT – A WILDLIFE LOVER AND ANGLER’S PARADISE

A room with character!

**Barb marveled at the walk-in size fireplace designed to heat the entire main lodge room!**

20160614_091722 — **Toccoa River is a fine trout fishery and it was cool for us in several ways on a warm June day!**

20160614_082723 — **Heading up the front porch at the lodge.**

AMERICAN PRESS TRAVEL NEWS – June 20 – Mineral Bluff, Ga. Bob and Barb on the road again and we’re stopping to smell the roses on the Toccoa River Trail & waters. We’re here at the Firefly Fishing Lodge enjoying the quiet the wildlife and the beautiful waters of both a famed rainbow trout creek and the Toccoa River. Owners, Bart & Nina Gilbert checked us into a nice historically built room with all amenities you’d want for a comfortable stay. The special place was loaded with antiques from a past whose provenance, that easily can be felt here. Bart told us to look out our windows early morning and evening to view the visiting wildlife. Bart’s favorite chore is to leave corn out for the wild turkey and the very wild deer, lots of them could be seen feeding during those early and late daytime hours. Coming up to the Firefly, was a father and son weekend for Fathers Day. Several teams would come together for fly fishing and socializing around the barbecuing fun. The Lodge offers guided flyfishing, and informative tours to local waterfalls, Georgia’s highest mountain, the longest swinging bridge, east of the Mississippi, native American Historical sites and “Train Tracks” their railroad themed tour plus so much more, just ask! We viewed several rare antiques at the main lodge such as a square Grand Piano to name just one of many. The lodge offers several packages for world class fishing and family escapes for hiking, tubing, swimming, kayaking, and even old-time outdoor games. We did not experience a breakfast or any meal at the lodge, according to Nina, it just doesn’t work for them now, but we are sure if ever offered, they would be first rate! Get in touch with Bart and Nina at: 706-374-4489 www.fireflyfishinglodge.com and e-mail to fireflylodge@tds.net

***Nina Gilbert showed us around the main, incredibly designed and furnished lodge home.***

Lake Junaluska In Western N.C.: a Gem in a Ringed Mountain Centerpiece!

The views overlooking Lake Junaluska are quite spectacular.

All our meals were taken at the Terrace Hotel and the food was quite good!

APtravelnews-Lake Junaluska, in Haywood, N.C.—Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, since 1913 (101 years) is located in Haywood County, it’s a place of Christian hospitality where the easy effort to transform lives through renewal of mind, soul and body. More of a summer place for families to enjoy a full range of outdoor, lakeside and in lake pleasures such as paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing even a labyrinth, a Biblical Garden Heritage Center & Museum to name just a few of the interesting places we visited. The huge open Stuart Auditorium and Memorial Chapel were truly magnificent.

More picturesque it would be hard to find. Lake at its fall best!

Author Bill Lowry spent years researching his new book "The Antechamber of Heaven" A History of Lake Junaluska Assembly. This 242 page book details everything anyone would enjoy knowing about the "Lake" Assembly! — Author Bill Lowry spent years researching his new book “The Antechamber of Heaven” A History of Lake Junaluska Assembly. This 242 page book details everything anyone would enjoy knowing about the “Lake” Assembly!

Barb and I stopped by for a couple of days last week. Even the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the many folks from around the country who came to the Lake and stayed at the Terrace Hotel. They as we did used this location as a jumping off point for the wonders of the lake properties and also the surrounding communities of Waynesville and their fine restaurants and antiques shops, the Biltmore properties, the Blue Ridge Parkway and it’s many vistas over 650 miles. Take a look at their website: www.LakeJunaluska.com

A scene from 1920's in Janaluska, during a special event. — A scene from 1920’s in Janaluska, the Terrace Hotel in the background is where we stayed during a special event.

An easy ride over to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be done from the Lake!

Out the window photo of a young bull elk in the Cataloochie Valley! Just one of the interesting areas easily accessible from the Lake!

Barb looking out at the lake from the Terrace Dining Room where we took all our fine, buffet meals. The views made us hungry for more!

A gorgeous view from the Blue Ridge Parkway of the Smokie Mountains.

From the Travel Insider, Louisiana Crawfish!

**Virginia Beach and the Seafood is easy! And, very, very fresh and good! Crawfish are not seafood, they are freshwater crustaceans that freshwater predators such as bass love as well as people too!**

APtravelnews-February 22nd,– The following is from the Inside Traveler: In Louisiana, crawfish is more than a local delicacy—it’s a dedicated food group. It is the centerpiece of springtime birthday parties, graduation celebrations and family gatherings and it is the culinary highlight for many visitors. To experience a crawfish boil is to experience everything that makes Louisiana a traveler’s delight: the authenticity of the culture, the joie de vivre, or joy of life, of the locals and the most delicious and exotic food to be found without crossing an ocean.

The history of crawfish intersects with Louisiana’s agriculture and religion, both integral parts of the state’s identity. Crawfish were first harvested from the deepwater of the Atchafalaya Basin and later became a farmed commodity when farmers turned their flooded rice fields into crawfish ponds to meet demand. The crustacean is the gastronomic anchor of the Lenten season during which Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays.

Crawfish season generally peaks in April but depending on weather, it can start as early as November and last through the following June. Restaurants across the state serve up the backyard boil experience. Crawfish is offered by the pound—three pounds is a good starting serving size—with the customary sides of corn on the cob, potatoes and maybe sausage or mushrooms which are boiled with the crawfish to soak up the flavor.

If you prefer your crawfish served with a side of music, check out the many crawfish festivals throughout the state—including the largest in Breaux Bridge, the Crawfish Capital of the World. To get the full bayou-to-table experience, take an airboat, kayak or canoe, or even go crawfishing yourself.

Louisiana is waiting to welcome you and pass a good time. Visit LouisianaTravel.com to plan your culinary adventure.