Just Me And The Mosquitoes

Sometimes I like to be completely alone on my short hiking trips. That means that I don't want company, and I don't even like the idea of other people anywhere on the trails that I'm visiting. I'm not being mean, I just want to be alone sometimes. But how can I do that?

There is one way to do it. My most recent adventure took place at 6:00 in the morning. I went out right before the Sun came up. It's a little dark out there, but I can just about be sure that nobody else is out there. Most others don't begin showing up until about 10:00 o'clock.

There are other times when I go out and it's kind of fun to have people warmly greet me when we pass at the nature parks. People are more polite and happy at these places. But I've felt the need to be alone recently. It's kind of strange, but I can sometimes sense when another person is in a park while I'm there, even before I see or hear them. I always wonder if others can do this.

I told you a couple of posts ago that I have a big new story coming up on my Rat Tales blog. Today is the day! The story is called "A Haunted Soul." It will come in 9 episodes, with each one coming every two weeks. I keep them short. The first one is called "Waiting For Heaven", and it's up right now.

This tale is a ghost story, but it's a very different kind of ghost story. There are so many legends and stories where people see ghosts. But what might the ghost be thinking? "A Haunted Soul" follows one particular ghost to find out his thoughts and feelings. This is not exactly a horror story, but it is a dark tale.

I guess my need to be alone would be like living as a ghost sometimes. I sometimes wonder what it might be like to be invisible to everyone, or to exist completely alone. That's why I was out so early in the morning. it's a relaxing experience, but only for short periods of time.

I was out here at the park all by myself with no sign of any other people. It was just me and the mosquitoes. This park is full of those little vampires, especially in the swampy areas. The mosquitoes can get so big there that their bites hurt. I had to walk fast to avoid them. But I still had a good time.

Itt seems kind of strange that not many animals come out that early. There were only a few birds. I found evidence of a coyote or other predator. A hideous piece of a dead rodent made that clear. When morning gets a little later I would never find a thing like that. I quickly moved on from that depressing sight.

I remember preparing myself to pass back through the heavy mosquito area. I began walking faster and faster. I still gave myself time for pictures, but the bites would come every time. I had a good relaxing time so early, but I was glad to be back in my truck.


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