It was back to work in the Visitors Center today. At least March brings more visitors so we’re averaging about 40-50 folks a day now. That makes the time go faster. I enjoy interacting with them, and often pick up useful tidbits from our conversations. Our visitors come from all over the country. I think that’s because we are so close to I-10. It’s a convenient place to stop, visit a restroom, and stretch your legs. Many snowbirds are starting their migration north, and I-10 is a major thoroughfare.
In between visitors, Diana and I continued the work on developing the trail guides to include what’s blooming this week. As I’ve said in the past, I do most of the photography, and she does the magic on the computer to put it all together. We got the Fontainebleau Trail Guide into print last week, and are concentrating on getting the Dees Trail Guide ready this week. I’ll try to post pics of these guides tomorrow.
Sometimes the blooms differ depending on which trail you hike even though they are only a few miles apart.
After work, Emma and I took up our normal places outside the rig. As you can see, she was very much up to maintaining her squirrel vigil. She’s the only dog I’ve ever had that spends so much time looking up into the trees for those fluffy tailed rodents. I guess this is her self appointed mission in life. I sure would like to let her loose after those varmints. My guess is she’d do her best to go right up those live oak trees after them.One of the tidbits I picked up today from one of the local visitors was to use fabric softener sheets to ward off the no-see-ums. I stuffed one in my sock, and put the other on my chest as I sat in my rocker. I think those little black gnats are worse than mosquitoes! It will be a few days before I can report on their usefulness. I do know the bites from these little bugs are driving me nuts during the middle of the night.
There was a message on my phone when I got home from a friend. She told me that the volunteer coordinator at Cibola NWR in Arizona is looking to have all new volunteers next winter. I have wanted to volunteer there, but there were issues, that I won’t go into here, about doing that in the past. I’ve already kind of committed to Okefenokee NWR next winter for six months, but I’ve had some reservations about being in one place that long. This information opens up some new possibilities for my mind to ponder. Yes, it makes my head swim. It would definitely take some rearranging of my schedule to go there, along with a 2000 mile drive in January from Georgia to Arizona, but you only go around once in this life. It’s been a few years since I’ve been out in the desert southwest… And maybe there aren’t any mosquitoes or no-see-ums! Hmm, I’ll have to think about this for sure.
THE END!!
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Spending 3 months each at two different places sounds more interesting than 6 months at one place.
ReplyDeletefun in the sun next winter sounds like a great idea..and no bugs would be even better!
ReplyDeleteWherever you decide to be I know we will all be going along for the ride! It is nice to have choices. We have not had any bug issues in the winter in the SW and this is our 2nd winter this direction. :)
ReplyDeleteNoseeums are THE worst. I am really dreading having to be in Florida over the summer. I wanted to be moving up the gulf coast about now.
ReplyDeleteSo let me know if this dryer sheet stuff works and I'll buy the by the cart full.
I think you and Diana work great together. Your photos are wonderful, and I am sure her computer skills are great also.
ReplyDeleteThat is a big discussion you have. We haven't been in any one place for six months for quiet awhile. I don't envy you in your discussion. Whatever you decide, make it for you only!
Whiskey was alway sitting at the window "squirreling" she just loved it! I sure do miss that now. Don't miss the gnats and no-see-ums though!
ReplyDeleteKevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
I scrub Benadryl lotion on my bites before going to bed. It's the only way I can sleep. I've spent several winters in Arizona now with no bites at all. And all bugs love me. I don't spend a lot of time outdoors during our Minnesota summers!
ReplyDeleteThe Mohave flower pics on my blog were taken not too far from Blythe! You sure could see quite a bit of diverse nature out there (and if you take a tour thru the nearby Slabs, see some diverse humans as well...ha!). But I'm sure you'll figure out which NWR feels like the best fit and enjoy every minute of it!
ReplyDeleteEmma knows you have an ongoing battle with the squirrels and bird feeders, so she's trying to help you out :-))) I heard those dryer sheets also work to keep mosquitoes away.
ReplyDeleteThat's one very good reason we will head back to Arizona next year, those no-see-ums were terrible in Florida--I'm still itching!
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone on the no-see-ums... They make me crazy! I think 3 months in each place sounds like a better idea too. We're currently looking for someplace warm to land in about January. Arizona sounds like a great place to me, but it has to be a paying job for us...
ReplyDeletehave also heard that avon skin so soft has an odor the bugs dont like. Emma is sure intense in her duties...guess like Mom like furbaby.
ReplyDelete3 month split sounds great. Just think the vegatation and aviary you will see in southwest will be so diverse from the south
I vote for Arizona at least 3 months...No bugs out there that I remember..But McGyver and I couldn't stay in one place longer than one month..I say that,knowing that I don't have to drive this thing..and understand your concern about a 2000 mile haul out West...Just stay South of I-10 that time of year, and you should miss any snow..They do have sand storms every so often tho....Things happen for reasons...I always consider that ...
ReplyDeleteWell those are some decisions to ponder. I'm sure you will get it all worked out. Just make sure the place has squirrels so Emma will have her duties to perform too.
ReplyDeleteWith all those daily visitors, glad to see the NWR is finally getting their monies worth out of you! ;c)
ReplyDeleteI missed looking at your pictures and reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of using dryer sheets for this but never have tried it. For no see ums or any other bites I use Stridex that face stuff for pimples. I rub it in real good and it works for me.
Maybe if you take that job in Arizona I will drive down or is it up to meet you. Need to look it up.
I lived in "bug country" (Florida) for 36 years and "no-bug country" (California and Arizona) for 27 years. No contest. You couldn't drag me back kicking and screaming to bug country. The desert is different from the tropics, but it didn't take me long to adjust.
ReplyDeleteI have a dryer sheet in the pocket of my outside chair - sticking out. I heard it was for mosquitoes, too. The last two nights I've had my door open longer than usual after dark - with the screen closed - and its the first time I've had little tiny bugs around my ceiling light in Arizona. I use my big sticky roller thing to roll them right off the ceiling. (Usually use it for dog hair, but it works great for bugs, too.)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos as usual. They are really getting a deal if you are doing the booklets for the refuge. Makes it easy having a team working together. I'll have to keep the dryer sheets in mind. Last I heard, they were recommended for mice--now mosquitoes and noseeums. An RVer can't afford to be without them. Oh, I forgot about using the used ones to clean bugs off the RV. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://travelinglongdogs.blogspot.com/
I say, "It's nice to have choices!"
ReplyDelete