GC1A94R Firefly Trail Night Cache (Unknown Cache) in Florida, United States created by roundnround we go

This cache has been archived.

roundnround we go: I have decided to just go ahead and archive this cache. with as far out of town as it is the cache just doesn't get enough visitors to justify keeping it going

GC1A94R ▼

A cache by roundnround we go Message this owner

Hidden : 4/18/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

*The Cache is not at Above Coordinates*
The coords listed above will take you to the beginning of your journey. Once you make it to the listed coords break out your flashlight and follow the reflectorized trail. Make sure your flashlight puts out a decent amount of light. Don't come out with a pen light and expect it to work.

We were originally going to name this cache after the trail it's on, but when we went back at night to put out the reflectors we were amazed at how many fireflies were out there.

Did you know......Fireflies and lightning bugs are neither flies nor bugs, but beetles. Because of the luminous organ at the tip of the abdomen, fireflies are some of the most familiar, and surprisingly well-liked (or should I say less-feared?) insects. It is a sad childhood, indeed, that does not contain a summer evening or two spent chasing and capturing these charming little fellows.
The firefly is capable of producing a "cold light" containing no ultra violet rays that is pale yellowish or reddish green in color, with a light efficiency of 96%. The ordinary incandescent light has an efficiency of roughly 10%, most of the energy being wasted as heat. The firefly turns on its light when flying upward, at intervals of about 5.8 seconds. In the dark periods it coasts downward again. Hundreds of them may synchronize their flashes to appear simultaneously. The females respond about two seconds later, and the males fly toward them. Bioluminescence is defined as "the process wherein light is produced by a chemical reaction which originates in the organism". Bioluminescence is mostly a phenomenon found at the bottom of the ocean floor, but fireflies also possess this ability. The light that a firefly creates is the result of a combination of four different ingredients. This light is produced through a chemical reaction involving luciferin, which is a substrate, luciferase, an enzyme, ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate), and oxygen. The light producing section of the body is located in the sixth or seventh abdominal section of the firefly. It is within this cavity that the two compounds luciferin and luciferase are stored. A firefly will draw oxygen in through its complex system of air tubes and expose the oxygen to the luciferin and the luciferin will then oxidize and activate the luciferase. This will generate a light that will shine through the skeleton of the abdomen. It is important to note that scientists disagree about the method that the fireflies use to control the duration of their flashes. One theory, known as the "Oxygen Control Theory", explains that fireflies can control the length and duration of their light by regulating the amount of oxygen that they intake. If little or no oxygen reaches the part of the firefly known as the phonic organ, the chemical reaction will not be extremely strong and the light of the firefly will not shine very brightly or for a lengthy duration. Another theory, known as the "Neural Activation Theory" states that fireflies have neural control over the activity of structures called "tracheal end cells". These structures aid in the initiation of the chemical reaction. Whether or not the fireflies have physical or neural control over their ability to produce light, their method of creating the light that emanates from their bodies is extremely efficient. Very little heat is given off of this light which means that not very much energy is wasted at all.
Bring back those memories of childhood, chasing these mysterious beetles. We use to put bunches of them in jars to see whose jar would be the brightest.

This night cache is located in the Pine Log State Forest on one of the trails. Pretty easy walking.

NOTE:::::: When you see 2 on a tree, you will also see two trails of lights, follow the one on the trail! After you cross the bridge watch for 3 and look to the left. Have fun and enjoy the show of the Fire Flies!

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