Tami Reynolds
Raining Mosquitoes
We decided to go camping overnight for Canada Day at St. Ambroise Provincial Park on Lake Manitoba on the edge of Delta Marsh - warning sign number one.
As we neared the park, we should have paid more attention to the warning sign number two. Flocks of blackbirds were diving through swirling black miniature tornadoes above the shrubs.
We went directly to the shore to do some sunset photography. The instant the sun sank, the hungry hordes of mosquitoes covered our exposed face and hands. They were biting us through our clothes. We are not cowards, but Mike and I turned tail and ran to the vehicle. In desperation, we searched for the Muskol, but with no luck. It had been left sitting by the door at home!
We looked at the swarming mosquitoes, listened to the hum and decided that we were NOT going out to set up the tent.
And this when the truly amazing occurred as we started to drive away. It sounded like it was raining. It was not rain, but the sound of the mosquitoes hitting the vehicle. There were so many that Mike had to use the windshield wipers and washer fluid to wash off enough squished bugs so he could see.
Mike switched on his high beams once we left the campground and we started in disbelief. The mosquitoes were so thick that it looked just like a heavy rain storm with the raindrops being driven towards the windows. He actually had to switch to low beams and slow down even more so that we could see where we were going. This lasted for several kilometers from the campground and surrounding marsh.
Part way home, we stopped just prior to pulling onto the main highway. Suddenly, we could smell a terrible stench. We both looked at each other and said in unison, "it is not me!" The smell lingered in the car. Once home, we realized the smell was from the thousands of mosquitoes plastered all over the vehicle.
Moral of the Story: MUSKOL - Don't LEAVE Home Without it!!! Especially when Camping Near a Marsh!!
Category: Camping