Another Florida virgin...

Post by **Savannah** » Wed May 25, 2011 12:33 pm

Near Klamath Falls, OR there were some nasty biting flies swarming by the river (as my campmate discovered during an impromptu bathroom stop. Wait for town, if at all possible!) She collected a dozen itchy bites in 30 seconds. Two of them bit me on the hand when I handed her t.p.

On the playa, you might see an errant dragonfly or hitch-hiking mantis, but otherwise, the only thing you'll be swatting away are sparkle ponies.

(They don't swarm, because it lessens their effectiveness, but they do have a high-pitched whine not unlike a mosquito.)

chris2010 · Post by **chris2010** » Wed May 25, 2011 4:24 pm

worksofheart wrote:
Super Evil Brian wrote: I was dumb enough to forget insect repellent at dusk in a state forest.

Although, I walked across the Mississippi River on a wooden plank a few times. I could see clear to the bottom as well.
Eep! Not the thing to forget! Though, even covered in repellant, we were recently hotly pursued by a mob of mosquitoes while hiking a state forest, vicious little buggers.

As for walking the plank...gator free and clear water sounds good! Or at least one or the other...gator filled dark water has little appeal! Fortunately we do still have some crystal clear springs where photo ops abound! (Including the odd gator or two...)

I reckon this means I can knock "insect repellant" off of my things-I-need-for-the-Playa list?

Have you been to The Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida?

worksofheart · Post by **worksofheart** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:24 am

chris2010 wrote:
Have you been to The Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida?

Oh, yes...but not tubing as yet. I love Rainbow Springs...especially the "Watch out for alligators" sign coming down the hill to the swimming area!

AND...I've been known to swim there too! lol! It's beautiful there, all kidding aside.

chris2010 · Post by **chris2010** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:32 am

worksofheart wrote:
chris2010 wrote:
Have you been to The Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida?
Oh, yes...but not tubing as yet. I love Rainbow Springs...especially the "Watch out for alligators" sign coming down the hill to the swimming area! AND...I've been known to swim there too! lol! It's beautiful there, all kidding aside.

Yea I love Rainbow Springs too

I have that picture too!

I love going there to take pictures... They have some nice hiking trails behind the park.

Post by **Savannah** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:42 am

I'm undecided between thinking that I absolutely could not swim there, and thinking "Okay, maybe I'd hop in just once, just to say I had."

This reminds me of the "Sharks May Be Present" signs on a particular quiet, flat, Maui beach. I loved those signs. So polite! "Sharks may be present. Perhaps. I don't wish to excite your nerves or anything."

I wasn't afraid there, though--oddly enough. I'm scared of sharks like most anyone, but the waters were calm, visibility was fantastic; that was part of it. Makes one downright nervy.

chris2010 · Post by **chris2010** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:49 am

Savannah wrote:

I'm undecided between thinking that I absolutely could not swim there, and thinking "Okay, maybe I'd hop in just once, just to say I had."

This reminds me of the "Sharks May Be Present" signs on a particular quiet, flat, Maui beach. I loved those signs. So polite! "Sharks may be present. Perhaps. I don't wish to excite your nerves or anything."

I wasn't afraid there, though--oddly enough. I'm scared of sharks like most anyone, but the waters were calm, visibility was fantastic; that was part of it. Makes one downright nervy.

In that water you can see them coming. It is crystal clear. You can almost drink it... almost... The fresh water bubbles up through the ground.

[youtube][/youtube]

I have not seen any gators in the many times I have been there. But I am sure there are...

worksofheart · Post by **worksofheart** » Thu May 26, 2011 1:03 am

Grr...I'd love to post a photo of the same, but can't seem to manage it at the moment...

In any case...you'd definitely see the gators coming...and I HAVE seen gators there...yet still swim! Let's live dangerously!

worksofheart · Post by **worksofheart** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:13 am

stretch80 wrote: Don't let the travel distance stand in your way either! I travel 3 days to BRC (6 hrs just to get to the US border). It is doable.

Thanks! Travel time would be about the same if I drive...flying's looking pretty appealing! Lots of logistics to work out, either way!

vizoo · Post by **vizoo** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:46 pm

worksofheart wrote:
Super Evil Brian wrote: I was dumb enough to forget insect repellent at dusk in a state forest.

Regular repellent (7.5 to 23% DETT) are not enough for some ferociuos and savage moskitoes, you have to go 100% DETT.
I had my share of big ones in the Amazon forest but for what I have heard hte biggest blood suckers are in Alaska, will be there in July to check and tell.