2017 WBCCI International Rally - Escanaba, MI

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Pneumonia, takes a while to get your strength back.

Truth. My stamina seems to be recovering at a pace best measured in geologic time— glaciers move faster than I do— but I can already walk farther without resting than I could at the start of the International rally, so there is some progress.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

[xrvr]

I found after pneumonia and later bipass surgery that recovery is slow for a while and then you seem to leap ahead, and then need to rake it easy for a couple days.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by avionstream

I found after pneumonia and later bipass surgery that recovery is slow for a while and then you seem to leap ahead, and then need to rake it easy for a couple days.

Perhaps we can dispense with further discussion of my recent ailment and get back to discussing the rally in Escanaba.

In any event I'm told on good authority that mosquitoes may be endemic in Escanaba in late July, so anyone planning to attend might benefit from taking screen rooms for their awnings, or separate free-standing screen rooms. I just purchased a Clam Corp. free-standing screen room that's supposed to be easy to set up by one person— it should arrive at my home the day after I do. If I go to Escanaba I'll be taking it with me just in case. Along with at least one Thermacell that I can clip to my Airstream Interstate near the sliding side door to help keep the bugs outside where they belong. Maybe two so I can clip one to my belt as well.

[AWCHIEF]

I was told black flys will be swarming up there that time of the year. Bring your netting.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I was told black flys will be swarming up there that time of the year. Bring your netting.

I might have heard black flies and misremembered as mosquitoes. Between the two, I'd prefer the skeeters because their bites don't hurt or itch as much, so it probably is black flies.

[Ken J]

Umm Silver - why? I did talk to a friend of mine from there and yes we will have some company - ie flying things - but nothing a little netting won't cure :-) I hear it's an incredibly beautiful area - anyone who knows about the bike paths that I've heard about there I would sure like to know -

[xrvr]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Perhaps we can dispense with further discussion of my recent ailment and get back to discussing the rally in Escanaba.

In any event I'm told on good authority that mosquitoes may be endemic in Escanaba in late July, so anyone planning to attend might benefit from taking screen rooms for their awnings, or separate free-standing screen rooms. I just purchased a Clam Corp. free-standing screen room that's supposed to be easy to set up by one person— it should arrive at my home the day after I do. If I go to Escanaba I'll be taking it with me just in case. Along with at least one Thermacell that I can clip to my Airstream Interstate near the sliding side door to help keep the bugs outside where they belong. Maybe two so I can clip one to my belt as well.

Whatever, just trying to be nice.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Whatever, just trying to be nice.

And I appreciate it.

But since I was the one who inadvertently provided the means to derail the thread, I felt I should also un-derail it.

I meant no criticism, so I apologize if you felt like I was criticizing you.

[xrvr]

Cool man!

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Along with at least one Thermacell that I can clip to my Airstream Interstate near the sliding side door to help keep the bugs outside where they belong. Maybe two so I can clip one to my belt as well.

So what can you tell me about Thermacell or other type devices for keeping my sanity among the bugs/flys etc.... Do these things work? Should I have a good canvas shirt/pants? netting?

[Airstream Annie]

We are planning on it. Just gotta get the payment ironed out and get our posties to stay at work.
Pete

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by Ken J

Umm Silver - why? I did talk to a friend of mine from there and yes we will have some company - ie flying things - but nothing a little netting won't cure :-) I hear it's an incredibly beautiful area - anyone who knows about the bike paths that I've heard about there I would sure like to know -

Ken,
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/escanaba-mi/

I am currently en route to Escanaba with a small party to finalize some details for the rally.

[Ken J]

Yes !!! I hear Michigan has some incredible riding - I can't wait !!! Thanks for the maps - you beat me to my research :-)

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Ken,
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/escanaba-mi/

I am currently en route to Escanaba with a small party to finalize some details for the rally.

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by crispyboy

So what can you tell me about Thermacell or other type devices for keeping my sanity among the bugs/flys etc.... Do these things work? Should I have a good canvas shirt/pants? netting?

Check out their web site. I used mine in south Lousiania and the skeeters laughed at me. Used it again in south Florida and it seemed to work as advertised. Hopefully it will have some effect on black flies. I do have the ZD screen room. I have found it to much trouble to put up and take down. If the weather cooperates in Michigan and the bugs are an issue it might be worth the effort to try it again. Somewhere I have hidden away netting gloves and hoods from my years of living in Maine. Thise pesky black fly bites are painful and get easily infected.

[Nuvite-F]

I'm not going to worry too much about mosquitoes and black flies at Escanaba. A month ago we camped at both the Escanaba fairgrounds (where the 2017 International is going to be) and the Straits State Park in St. Ignace, and bugs were negligible either place.

Mosquitoes and black flies like thick woods (that's why Johnson's calls their insect repellent "Deep Woods Off"!) but both Escanaba and St. Ignace are coastal locations with not too many trees and breezes most of the time.

By all means bring insect repellent, but you probably won't need it.

[AWCHIEF]

Nuvite, thanks for the update. Used to be a Boy Scout "Be Prepared".

[Ken J]

Richard - take lots of pictures - you know how we love pictures :-)

[Arcticfox]

Tagging to follow along....
Thanks


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by Ken J

Richard - take lots of pictures - you know how we love pictures :-)

Will do. We are in lower Michigan taking a break and will get to Escanaba on Sunday.

[Brawny]

Signed up and paid. Looking forward to meeting some of the folks from these forums!