Exactly two years ago to the day, I wrote a little ditty about the mosquito.

We had just returned from a camping trip to Sly Park and had been completely devoured by these prehistoric blood suckers. As you recently read, we just got back from another camping trip, this one up in Napa Valley. And once again, I am still discovering mosquito bites all over my body.

Coincidentally, I was looking through the archives and discovered this post, so here I present the deliciously updated version.

I’d like to start off with telling you how much I hate the mosquito - they are unspeakably wicked.

I hate the sound they make when they are near my ear - that high pitched, whining, buzzing, irritating noise that says, “I’m getting close to your ear lobe, and when I get there, boy am I going to have a feast!” (and yes, I am one of the lucky people over the age of 21 who can still hear this super-ultra-hyper-sonic sound)

I hate the pain caused when they puncture my skin. Usually they have already flown away, full of my rum-filled-blood, by the time I realize they were there so it’s rare that I am able to murder one and prevent future bites, but I do try.

I hate the red bumpy lump that swells up post-puncture. I swell like I’ve had an allergic reaction. It’s like every blood cell in my body rushes to the point of puncture giving me a second head on my neck or a second arm coming out of one of my others…it’s crazy wild swelling.

I hate the itch. You may not know, but in the animal kingdom the sensation of itch is so difficult to withstand that animals will scratch themselves until they bleed, because pain is preferable to the itch. Who knew? Me.

So…exactly two years ago today, David, Scott, Roque, and I went to Sly Park for a camping getaway. We’ve done this several times before, and always enjoy a relaxing weekend amongst the trees and the water. Our last trip to Sly Park was actually in the midst of huge fires in the Sierra’s, and the entire place was covered in smoke, until the rain came, and completely washed it away (including us). Packing up in the rain, $2.00…having lunch at Mel’s Diner, while still dripping wet…priceless.

This time, however, there was no rain. We had grand weather all weekend, especially for our hike back to a beautiful waterfall created by a drainage system owned by the US Bureau of Water Reclamation. The weather stayed within the 80’s during the day, and in the 50’s at night…thankfully we have a large tent that provided adequate protection from the elements. Unfortunately not from the crazy people driving around blasting their stereo systems…and it wasn’t even good music!

Anyhoo…mosquitos. They were out in FORCE this weekend. Despite three citronella spirals burning, a raging fire producing anti-mosquito smoke, and a recently purchased insect repellent spray…we were attacked mercilessly. I think we determined that the spray actually attracted the insects instead of sending them flying away…however, it did have a nice scent and had aloe to moisturize our recently swollen skin.

All in all, a wonderful time of hiking, rafting, and drinking was had by all. If you are in the greater-Sacramento area, Sly Park is just a quick 45 minute drive up into the foothills, and despite the mosquito infestation, is a nice relaxing place to spend a weekend.

* Mosquito image from Wikimedia CC license.

This sarcastic entry was posted on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 7:39 am and is filed under Awareness, Nature, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.