Greg -
I've read Jack's list and I have to say that I agree with many of his points. I should also mention that the microwave functions perfectly and never sparks - it's the generator that has trouble keeping up with the initial start-up and occasionally trips its overload breaker.
Speaking of nuisances that I could do without, I should probably mention the bugs at our site and around the island of Wrangell. My arms are covered in bites from biting midges or no-see-ums which are come out in droves under a steady drizzle. They are present even if it's not drizzling but not nearly in the numbers that precipitation brings. They are experts avoiding detection until they bite, which for their size, is sharp. They are, far and away, the most annoying insect on Wrangell island. When we arrived, I was surprised at the lack of mosquitoes. While they are still present at our site, we normally only see a few each night - maybe they can't take the no-see-ums either. Black flies are also a pest around the island and are far more common than mosquitoes. They are also known as white socks as the ends of their legs are white. They are insistent at flying around your eyes, mouth, and nose and don't seem to be bothered by swatting hands. I should also mention that our what we experience at our site does not represent the conditions in other areas. We are, fortunately, relatively far removed from any muskeg which is ideal mosquito habitat. The rec crew has many stories about being marauded by hoardes of them during their week-long trips up the Stikine. I miss the relatively bug-free confines of Colorado.
I've read Jack's list and I have to say that I agree with many of his points. I should also mention that the microwave functions perfectly and never sparks - it's the generator that has trouble keeping up with the initial start-up and occasionally trips its overload breaker.
Speaking of nuisances that I could do without, I should probably mention the bugs at our site and around the island of Wrangell. My arms are covered in bites from biting midges or no-see-ums which are come out in droves under a steady drizzle. They are present even if it's not drizzling but not nearly in the numbers that precipitation brings. They are experts avoiding detection until they bite, which for their size, is sharp. They are, far and away, the most annoying insect on Wrangell island. When we arrived, I was surprised at the lack of mosquitoes. While they are still present at our site, we normally only see a few each night - maybe they can't take the no-see-ums either. Black flies are also a pest around the island and are far more common than mosquitoes. They are also known as white socks as the ends of their legs are white. They are insistent at flying around your eyes, mouth, and nose and don't seem to be bothered by swatting hands. I should also mention that our what we experience at our site does not represent the conditions in other areas. We are, fortunately, relatively far removed from any muskeg which is ideal mosquito habitat. The rec crew has many stories about being marauded by hoardes of them during their week-long trips up the Stikine. I miss the relatively bug-free confines of Colorado.
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| Our mold farm |
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| Muskeg along Thom's Creek Road |
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| Sitka Spruce at a clearcut along the Nemo Loop |
This reminded me of a bug story: When I saw the oncologist after we got back from our trip, he saw mosquito bites on my neck and exclaimed over them. (I have a reaction to them, so they look really awful.) He asked if I don't use any kind of insect repellent and I told him I do but the pests seem to brazen it out. He said, "But you were taking Xeloda during this time?" and when I responded I was (taking the chemo pills), he laughed and said, "The mosquitos are flying around full of Xeloda!" That struck him as incredibly funny, which made me laugh. :) I don't know what affect that has on bugs but I suppose I could send you a vial of blood to try out on the no-see-ums. LOL
ReplyDeleteP.S. I don't know why the blog identifies me as Cozy rather than Donna. : )