LINVILLE FALLS, N.C. (AP) - A full moon illuminates Linville Gorge, painting the river below in a pale, hazy glow. It's quite a view, though hardly the clear one Dan Caton had hoped for. Caton carefully scans the surrounding trees and studies the horizon over the low-lying ridge of Brown Mountain, trying to catch a glimpse of a spooky ball of light or a fleeting sparkle in the darkness.
The Appalachian State University physics and astronomy professor is chasing the elusive Brown Mountain Lights, a legend that has lured tourists for decades.
But in 20 visits over the years, Caton has yet to see the lights. And he's beginning wonder whether they actually exist.
"I think when I finally see them _ if ever _ it'll be one of those things where I go, 'Oh, I know what that is' or 'What was that?'" he said. "We just haven't seen it yet."
Over the years, watchers have tagged the Brown Mountain Lights as everything from ghosts to UFOs to various natural phenomena.
I've heard the story a few times before. I guess the woowoo's haven't jumped on it, yet. :?
