Saturday, July 4, 2009

National Gnat

I’d like to make a nomination for the “National Bird of Pine Cove” — the San Jacinto Pineous Cover gnat.

Yesterday, about 7 a.m., I began a walk — don’t want to offend real hikers. As I went west of Idyllwild Arts, I started up control road 6S10. It becomes the Red Hill Truck Trail and winds around the western edge of Pine Cove, almost to the northern edge near Station 23.

It was there I encountered them. Worse than Hitchcock’s “Birds”. From the time I left the open, sun beaten uncovered portion of 6S10 and entered the forested area. I was engulfed by the tiny critters. I must have reeked of Idyllwild from the way they kept attacking and pummeling me.

For several miles, until I could get to the safety of paved road near the “Speed of Light” monument, the gnats surrounded my head. I had no worry about sunburn, because of the density of the swarm.

But I did pull a muscle trying to swat the swarm. Ugh.

So help me with a good defense, please.

Keep the “Green” devices in the first column, the effective solutions, next and, please, please, keep the carcinogenic ideas private.

Finally, a tip of my cap to Pine Covers for the natural defense team they have nurtured. I wonder if another brood is on the eastern edge?

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