Glowing

For one reason or another, it had been some time since my last night ride to Austinville, probably dating back to December. Since then, of course, a few changes have taken place, including some extreme downpours which have actually modified the course of the water in the creek. Austinville is, of course, noted for it's glow worms, which light up the side of the dirt road at the southern end of the valley along the bubbling creek. Last weekend Martin, my regular ride partner, was wondering how the rain would have affected the glow worms. Last night I sought an answer.

It came a kilometre earlier than I had expected. When I saw the green light -- nay, the hundreds of tiny green lights, it took me a few seconds to realise that I hadn't yet reached the final stretches of the ride. Once I actually reached the habitat area, the lights seemed to multiply. Here I was, breathing in the clean, cool, moist air of the rainforest, listening to the bubbling of the creek and the sound of bicycle tyres on dirt, watching hundreds of little green lights as I passed by one of the more spectacular secrets of the rainforest. It was a moment of quintessential delight, and one that I may try to replicate next week.

In the meantime, my weekend plans are still up in the air. The plan is a weekend camping trip to Minyon Falls near Mullumbimby. The reality is that there are still some road closures in effect as a result of the above-mentioned downpours. I will contact National Parks in Lismore tomorrow to determine if the campground is still accessible. The other option is to "stealth camp" nearby, or just simply go somewhere else for the weekend. All will be revealed.