I’d been having fun but I’d been soaked in sweat literally all day. By sunset I’d had enough heat and bugs. I got back to camp with plenty of time but didn’t feel like cooking in a cloud of mosquitoes.
I think a screen tent is in my future.
A second camper had showed up. That meant there were a total of three campsites occupied. I was the only tent. Everyone was hiding from the bugs insider their RV trailers. I really need a screen tent.
In desperation, I unhitched my truck and took off. I set the AC to refrigerate and that improved my attitude. I drove a considerable distance and wound up eating a fine burger at a VFW in some small town. I spent more on the diesel to get there than the burger. The venue was hosting a wedding. No matter how bad things may seem, there are still weddings. Good to see it.
I wanted an ice cream for desert. Before leaving civilization, I pulled into a McDonalds. The place was in full meltdown. The drive through was blocked up for dozens of cars. I parked and discovered a long line inside too. There had been a car race somewhere because battered trucks with trailers that had even more battered race cars strapped down were everywhere. I waited patiently as the staff, which was inadequate, tried bravely to keep up. It was pandemonium. They were giving it a good try but they completely failed.
When someone ordered ice cream they said both ice cream and the shake machine were down. The place was so chaotic I’m surprised they managed to make fries. The people trying to operate the place were in hell. The thing about McDonalds is that a lot of things need to work in order for it to function. The power grid has to be up, there’s got to be enough domestic tranquility that the place isn’t robbed, food delivery trucks have to arrive, the staff has to show up and be wearing pants, etc… Never take for granted the miraculous society that can hand you a Big Mac in two minutes.
The shake machine is the first to go. It’s the indicator species of the fast food world. Its loss is the first sign of a deeper disaster. I walked out and felt I was doing them a favor. I’d reduced their huge throng of customers by one. They were doomed but I wish them well.
Back at camp it rained on and off. This was awesome because the temperature dropped closer to something tolerable. (I’d put on the tent’s rain fly that morning so the tent was fine.) Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were not dissuaded. At each break in the light rain they’d swarm. A breeze would have helped, but it was dead calm; humid to the point of a fine mist, hot, and buggy. I really need a screen tent. I thought about just sitting in my truck running the ac but that seemed dumb.
I wound up sitting in my lawnchair, inside my tent, reading. This wasn’t a bad way to relax. I had a battery operated lamp hanging from the tent ceiling. It’s got a mosquito zapper that isn’t magic but it definitely helps. String cheese was my alternative to the milkshake I couldn’t buy. It kept me happy. At times there would be a pleasant breeze through the screen windows. I also had a tiny battery operated fan. Combining a bunch of half assed solutions had reasonable comfort. I slept very well that night.
A solid wall of mosquitoes formed on the outside of the screen. They were more numerous than usual. I’d have preferred to be hassled by bears… or a velociraptor.
(To be continued.)