Xavier's First Firefly
Greetings to everyone.
We drove in to Eureka Springs and drove around the Historic Downtown. We also had the expectation of eating at Bubba's BBQ (we planned that yesterday after seeing the sign, but the plans fell through). Alas, we did not eat at Bubba's today (although we did drive passed it and located it, so one step nearer our quest).
After touring the Historic Downtown via car and stopping at a fudge shop, we found the Farmers' Market many of the other family headed out to see. We pulled in and walked around. Xavier, as always, was happy to be out of his car seat and running around collecting comments from strangers: "What a cute little boy", "He's so cute" and "How old is he" were common. We found several of the family there; even picked one up who wanted to go with us.
After the market, we wanted to spend more time in downtown Eureka Springs as well as do some of the activities in the area: take the train ride through the area, go to a drive-through zoo, explore a cave, visit a winery. As the morning grew late, however, we decided to head back to the cabin for Xavier to nap. His late-night (11:00 PM to 12:30 AM) bed times took their toll in the early afternoon, and we wanted to keep/get him back on his schedule. A tired Xavier is an unhappy experience for everyone.
We found ourselves taking lunch on the way back in a local pizzeria. Though convenient, we would recommend against it. With the beginnings of the effects of Tropical Depression Bill moving through the Ozarks, it started to rain about the time we got to the cabin. We had quite a bit of rain in the afternoon.
The bugs in Eureka Springs know it rains a lot, so rain does not slow them down much. As the late afternoon sunlight faded to the grays of evening, the fireflies appeared. Several species of them sparking brief flashes. After dinner, Xavier and Dad sat outside and watched the lawns glisten with the intermittent spark of bio luminescent light.
Xavier was fascinated by the insects for quite some time. Dad explained many things, but he did not seem to care. He would point and say "oooh" at their flashing, especially when one flashed right in front of his face.
We captured a couple to examine. Xavier took a momentary interest in them, then decided he wanted to go splash around in the puddles the rain created. Still, every night after, Xavier would point and comment on the flashes of light winking out in the darkness.