Last night I was reminiscing about how much our family has enjoyed winter camping in California since we bought the tent trailer three years ago. What do we enjoy about winter camping? No bugs, no need for bug spray. No people, people don't think to camp in winter? The weather is rarely severe enough to keep us in from going out, don a poncho if necessary and go for a hike. But then I realized this trip would not be possible in the winter if given the opportunity. I lost count of how many signs we have seen across the highway stating "Road Closed when flashing" with a swing arm gate to block the road and an additional sign stating "Return to ..." insert name of last town passed. Also, you wouldn't catch me driving miles and miles of snow banked highway. You'd have to commit me to a mental hospital for the anxiety it would cause.
What led to these reminiscings? Bugs. The evening bugs on this trip are relentless. Bug spray and long sleeves and long pants (which are torture in this warm, muggy weather) don't keep the bugs from biting. Problem is we drive all day (when the bugs are less severe) and arrive to our campsite in the evening to eat dinner with the bugs. A less than enjoyable experience. Mackensie asks "What purpose do mosquitoes serve?" My response, "to annoy us". Last night we escaped to the trailer early just to get away from the bugs and spent most the evening keeping tally of how many mosquitos we killed inside the trailer. Now, mind you, the girls are pretty good at getting in and out of the trailer door with a minimal amount of 'open' time, but the bugs still manage to get in. The bugs must hang out by the door, just waiting for their opportunity to invade.
I am the first to admit we are spoiled Californians. The weather has been... well... interesting. Rain in June/July? Doesn't happen in CA. And yet we have had some sort of rain or drizzle just about every day since we left CA/NV. Nothing really bad or at inopportune times, just unusual for us to experience any weather other than cloudless HOT in July back home. Driving has been easy, no heavy rain to slow us down. Although there was the one day of constant heavy cross-winds traveling across the South Dakota/Minnesota prairies that was draining.
Knowing now what I didn't know then, would I still opt to take this trip? You Betcha! This is a trip of a lifetime! The sights and education are nearly incomprehensible. Did you know the third verse, there are four verses, of the Star Spangled Banner isn't sung much anymore since it is rather unfavorable toward the British who are our friends now? At the Ingalls Homestead, the girls were invited to harness the teams of horses that pull the covered wagons for the Homestead, the same wagons they were allowed to drive the day before. In Minnesota I saw my very first firefly. Here in Illinois we are camping by Lake Michigan, a lake so big you'd think it is the ocean since you cannot see the other side. The lightning show last night was incredible. Lit up the cloud shrouded sky brighter than daylight with no rain or sound of thunder. When the thunder did come, the rain came down with such force we thought our trusty covered wagon (tent trailer) might need to turn into a boat! So we'll deal with the bugs, escape them when we can, load up on Benadryl and Hyrdocortisone cream when we can't, and continue on this grand and glorious adventure exploring this big beautiful wonderful country.
Thank you for joining us on our adventure!