Yesterday was warm and sunny and not a cloud in the sky. So we went for a hike!
I've been wanting to get to the other side of the bay so that I could get some pictures looking back at the park with the morning sun facing it. So we took off just after 9:00am for a two hour hike.
Heading into the hills.
It's not that easy to hike to the other side of the bay because you have to get around this stream.
And this one too!
Kevin, and the park in the background.
Finally made it on top of the hill opposite the bay.
This was the view we came for! What a beautiful day.
Only one problem.
We forgot to put bug spray on.
We've had quite a bit of rain, and that's made the mosquito population greater than what it should be at this time of year. Much greater. In fact, on the hike back we were swarmed at times. Soooo glad we had long pants on! But that didn't prevent about a dozen bites on each arm, and a few around the neck and face.
Mosquitoes are supposed to be done by this time of year!
It was all I could do to stand still for a moment for Ruth to take the picture. Damn mosquitoes!
Some cattle in the distance.
In the afternoon, Ruth put some bug spray on and went and worked on trimming some bushes at one of the tenting sites. Arnie (the guy who took us out in their pontoon boat the other morning) offered to help me drag the swimming raft in and get it out of the lake for the season.
Arnie and Kevin disconnecting the swim raft.
You'll notice that the raft doesn't sit just right. One of the ballasts obviously has a hole in it. We'll get it fixed up and make sure that it floats properly for next summer.
Here's a great deal on a Garmin GPS. With lifetime map updates included! Scroll through the "lightning deals" to find it...
Best Buy currently has this unit on sale for $108. It's on sale at Amazon this morning for $80. The downside is that this unit ONLY has maps of the United States. But if you never drive anywhere else then this is all you need. For a 5" unit with lifetime map updates, you can't go wrong.
A small piece of Eternabond tape over the hole in the ballast will be a quick, permanent fix, because the stuff even works underwater.
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea, Kevin is upset that he didn't think of that first himself!
DeleteNever understood the use for mosquitoes. F**king things. Pardon my language. We're lucky enough to have very few out this year, and due to the whole West Nile scare, the municipality has been knocking the hell out of them. I good with that.
ReplyDeleteWe don't understand why they are necessary either! In the spring they weren't too bad. They should be almost over by this point but they are out in full force.
DeleteWe do have a fogger here and Kevin used it once in the summer but it isn't working right. The other day he had a look at it again and said that it is toast so that will be on the list to buy for next year.
Mosquitoes are just horrible aren't they? I am obviously very tasty to them as I always get bitten. Well done for doing the hike regardless. It does look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteRuth-thanks for inspiring today's post on my new blog
http://349sfttoseetheworldchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
and for becoming my 1st follower.
Sft x
They seem to like Kevin even more than they like me, all the same they were very bothersome on our hike. Next time we will remember to take the spray with us.
DeleteGlad I was able to inspire your for you post yesterday, it was a great post!
Thanks Ruth.
DeleteI'm glad people are starting to read it. Although I think I would write it anyway as a diary of my challenge.
Sft x
Guess those *$^%@#* skeeters didn't get the memo... :cP
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be working overtime!
DeleteLooks like you chose just the right day!
ReplyDeleteYes, we certainly did! It rained most of the day yesterday and today is suppose to be much the same. Other than the mosquitoes it was a great hike.
DeleteSuch great pictures! The prairies are so beautiful in the summer.
ReplyDeleteYes they are but we don't want to be here for them in the winter!
DeleteI read that Vitamin B helps keep the skeeters away, apparently they don't like the taste of your blood when you take it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been bitten in over 2 years now, such a relief (the Coast doesn't have as many I guess).
But they are good for wasps (who eat them) and dragonflies (who also eat them) so they do have a purpose.
Just not for us humans!!
I was also going to say Eternabond. Great stuff for sure! :P
I have read that a number of different "foods" will keep them away but I am not sure how much faith I would put in that.
DeleteThe wasps, dragonflies and bats can all find another bug to eat, I am sure they wouldn't starve!