Where Not To Camp

Such a beautiful spot, wildflowers still in bloom, dragonflies zooming about, a cool gentle breeze over the lake. Little did we know what was to come.

We had read on a Facebook group of one’s new favorite campsite on a calm glacial lake. We checked the coordinates, and the Google satellite view showed what appeared to be a 5th wheel parked there and decided to check if it was available, pulled in and setup camp.

Upon darkness, the bloodbattle began. Hundreds of mosquitoes invaded the motorhome. Somehow they were getting in, however we couldn’t locate where. Unprepared, armed with nothing more than a now-broken swatter, our bare hands, and slathered in bug repellent, we murdered the vast majority of the bloody bastards. We sustained very few bites, but they sure splattered blood from their bodies upon their demise. It was a night of little sleep as they buzzed and swarmed about.

In the morning, the war resumed as we refueled on coffee. As we prepared to head out for the day, we took a few moments to admire the fog rolling atop the lake surface, then escaped to Lake Itasca State Park to experience the Mississippi Headwaters. We made a detour to Bemidji to get more ammunition in the form of a Black Flag bug zapper, a DynaTrap, and an Eliminator handheld racket insect killer, then made our way back to the motorhome.

We were ready to resume battle, only to discover a red-orange tag on the door stating it is illegal to camp at a watercraft landing. Honestly, I do recall reading that very statement when perusing the rules and regulations from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. I suppose since someone suggested the place, it made it seem that it was okay, or that two tire tracks into the lake didn’t ring in my mind as a watercraft landing. Either way, we were wrong, and now we know. We have since replied to that Facebook group informing them that camping is prohibited at that location.

Back to the story... we re-entered and began setting up the warfare as we packed up camp and prepared to leave. Undeniably, the sub-$10 racket was the best investment and made the most headway, plus the added satisfaction of the BzzZZttT snap ZzZZzzzZzoooorrrP assurance of their doom. Within an hour, we vacated the premises and headed for the next stop. I can only imagine what those passing me thought as I was still swinging a racket while driving a motorhome on the highway.

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