The Attack of the Dive Bombers

We were on a lovely trail headed to some lakes off the Cascade Highway. I was delighted that the recent cold weather had knocked out the mosquitoes. It was clear, warm with a slight breeze. My task for the day was 3 hours of running. I had just come off the bike and headed into the "brick workout".

It was quiet. No one on the trail. I felt unstoppable, like I could go forever. And then the attack began. Buzzing dive bombing bees. They got S'Kaana, he rolled into the mud, rubbing his face. They nailed me on my legs and arms. I frantically waved my arms and sprinted up a hill, yelling inappropriate words. I was a mad women staggering as fast as I could using my water bottle as a weapon. The attack stopped as fast as it had begun. But the war was still on. As we proceeded, "licking our wounds" the buzzing began again. They are tenacious buggers. Stealthy. Persistent. My frenzied antics were not successful. But I had a plan.

I took a water break, gritted my teeth and exposed my arm to the flying "Red Baron". He landed. There was a minuscule moment of concern for the life of this annoying insect and then my water bottle struck. He fell to the ground, his wings crushed, blood oozing from his wounds. I take no prisoners! My foot rose and fell without a thought of regret. The bug was now juice on the bottom of my shoe. S'Kaana felt the sweet taste of revenge.

We pressed on, listening for more flying commandos. There, another one was preparing to stage a come back battle. I raised my shoe and let them sniff the blood of a fallen comrade. They recoiled, like a vampire to the smell of garlic. They watched from a distance. For the rest of the run, when any came near, I gave them my "sole" and we were allowed to pass unharmed. I'm thinking of marketing this as a very effective insect repellent. Not sure if any one would want to smear bug juice all over themselves. But those bites are painful. Luckily we made it back to the car in one piece and some wounds to share as a testament to our "War of the Bugs".