As I sit here around 10pm after a heartily enjoyed meal of self prepared stir fried veggies and chicken, I ponder the serenity of the Minnesota backwoods at Pfeiffer Lake in the Superior National Forest. With the mosquitoes buzzing me like Kamikaze jet pilots, in my fly screen hat, feeling like a complete goober, I ponder it intently. All I can say is, thank God there aren’t any biting flies – blood sucking little bastards they are.
Having arrived today from Michigan, via a brief fuel stop in Wisconsin, I have discovered something I’m sure many a Northerner discovers as a child. Bugs swarm like hungry titans at the beginning of summer. I, of course, being a born-again Georgian, thinking I would be avoiding the heat, have been traveling right INTO bug season in every state I’ve visited thus far. I don’t just mean mosquitoes. I mean crazed, insane, biting flies, I mean all variety of flying insects that are so hungry for blood they don’t care that you’re wearing DEET 100% which I suspect means sure death for them. They just don’t care. The label says Woodsman Strength, UP TO 10hrs of protection from ALL the aforementioned insects. Obviously, UP TO in marketing speak means 30 seconds in what I’m guessing is hatching season and anybody who’s been here at this time knows I’m not exaggerating. Aside from that, it’s been bliss. Amazing scenery, good weather (I have avoided any kind of heat) and nice people when I’ve come across them during my stays at various State and National Parks.
Having had to leave my chair due to the noise of swarms, I find myself gratefully bug free in my tent, even if it only fits me. It’s been a quick 4 days since I left the relative comfort of Alpena. My goal, for no particular reason, is to spend no more than one night every 2 weeks in a hotel, mostly to do washing. I’ve discovered that all variety of campgrounds have showers and some even have clothes washing facilities. I’m enjoying the peace but do crave more human interaction. I think when I come to a place I really like the look of I will find a sublet or room to share and explore more thoroughly from there. For now, I will continue on my journey, hoping to avoid bad weather and anything large enough to eat me.
Just a side note – anybody who has ever contemplated do a trip like this should. It is joyous and peaceful but maybe that’s just my perspective.
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....and you thought I was nuts....my imagination that the bugs were making me crazy...HA! Without me there...they've resorted to feasting on you (guess I was just that much sweeter that they chose me)! At least you have a goofy screen head cover & screen kitchen....all the comforts without me!
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