We chose a different part of the walking trail last night.  We walked along the canal this time.  It was a much different experience than walking through the wetlands. 

We walked along the water.
We walked along the water.

 

This was pretty much what we saw the whole time.

This was pretty much what we saw the whole time.

 

Lots of pretty trees.

Lots of pretty trees.

 Lots of water to look at.

Lots of water.

 
And the trail starts getting darker.
So when the trail starts getting darker…
You know what that means as the sun start going down.
You know what that means as the sun start going down.

Bugs.  Mosquitoes, black flies, you name it.  Bugs.

And lots of them.

My husband said that he could get the Mohawk Valley Erie Canal Swine Flu Virus Plague from these bugs.  I’m sure he made that up.  He’s such a drama king. 

So we high-tailed it to the car and stopped at the pizza place down the road for a slice.  BTW, this was another business just like this one   that took every opportunity to cross-promote and to provide excellent customer service.  While we were chowing on our pizza the friendly owner asked us how the slices were (this is unheard of around here at a deli/pizza place) and she then reminded us that they now have ice cream too.  After she walked away, I commented to my husband, “Cross-promotion!  Good for her!”  He just shook his head.  He’s used to me saying things like this.

The pizza sure made the buggy experience worthwhile.  This was the best part though:

See the rainbow?

See the rainbow?

 

Do you brave the bugs to commune with nature?  Maybe I’ll wear Skin So Soft next time.  I’ve heard that it scares off mosquitoes.  Not sure if it works for black flies. 

Does anybody have any hints for a natural, non-chemical bug deterrent?  I’d love to hear about them.