Trip to the beach

Husband wonders why I even set up a week at the beach. He says every time we come down it seems like the ten plagues are occurring, ie, the black flies, won't leave us alone, spent the total of one hour out on the beach the last time, fighting flies the entire time, the love bugs, so thick you cannot keep the love bugs out of the townhouse, dragonflies hitting you in the face while riding scooters, and he doesn't look forward to seeing nothing but high rises along the beach obstructing the view. What does one do that doesn't come down to eat seafood, and we cannot seem to be able to sit out and enjoy the beach. We get eaten up by the flies. Is there alot to see in Port St. Joe? Has anyone been to Wakulla Springs or Falling Waters State Park??? Anything worth seeing in St. Andrews? Of course, we hit every Alvin's Island. Is the Cape San Blas area, Appalachicola, and St. George's Island more than a hour and a half away? Is the St. Marks Lighthouse worth visiting? I know you cannot go inside the St. Marks Lighthouse. But you can the Pensacola lighthouse on Sunday only unless they changed that. Any proven remedies that work to keep the dog flies off??? I know this topic has been brought up on here before. Wondering also why the love bugs and dragonflies are out around the end of August. Don't mean to sound like a sourpuss but when you get totally bugged, pardon the pun, you cannot have a good time.

Husband wonders why I even set up a week at the beach. He says every time we come down it seems like the ten plagues are occurring, ie, the black flies, won't leave us alone, spent the total of one hour out on the beach the last time, fighting flies the entire time, the love bugs, so thick you cannot keep the love bugs out of the townhouse, dragonflies hitting you in the face while riding scooters, and he doesn't look forward to seeing nothing but high rises along the beach obstructing the view. What does one do that doesn't come down to eat seafood, and we cannot seem to be able to sit out and enjoy the beach. We get eaten up by the flies. Is there alot to see in Port St. Joe? Has anyone been to Wakulla Springs or Falling Waters State Park??? Anything worth seeing in St. Andrews? Of course, we hit every Alvin's Island. Is the Cape San Blas area, Appalachicola, and St. George's Island more than a hour and a half away? Is the St. Marks Lighthouse worth visiting? I know you cannot go inside the St. Marks Lighthouse. But you can the Pensacola lighthouse on Sunday only unless they changed that. Any proven remedies that work to keep the dog flies off??? I know this topic has been brought up on here before. Wondering also why the love bugs and dragonflies are out around the end of August. Don't mean to sound like a sourpuss but when you get totally bugged, pardon the pun, you cannot have a good time.

I don't know girl...you just take the good with the bad and make it what you want?

I don't know girl...you just take the good with the bad and make it what you want?

Didn't mean to write a book with my post. :roll: But that is one thing we both despise, the ouch, biting flies, love bugs and dragonflies. Might have to go exploring those other places mentioned to see the sights. Will ask more toward August if anyone has had major problems with the flies at that point. If not, maybe we will luck up and the wind will not be out of the north much during our stay where we can enjoy the beach some. Sure hope so.

Didn't mean to write a book with my post. :roll: But that is one thing we both despise, the ouch, biting flies, love bugs and dragonflies. Might have to go exploring those other places mentioned to see the sights. Will ask more toward August if anyone has had major problems with the flies at that point. If not, maybe we will luck up and the wind will not be out of the north much during our stay where we can enjoy the beach some. Sure hope so.

We go the the last week of August every year. Sometimes the flies are bad, other times no problem. Rarely has it been for the entire week. Regardless, I just like looking at the Gulf and watching the waves sparkle under the sun.Heating the crash of the surf. Or if raining, seeing the mass of gray come ashore and watch the rain fall. However if I could ever allow myself to leave to beach, I would love to explore the area. Especially with the pics Kurt, SJ, and other post.

We go the the last week of August every year. Sometimes the flies are bad, other times no problem. Rarely has it been for the entire week. Regardless, I just like looking at the Gulf and watching the waves sparkle under the sun.Heating the crash of the surf. Or if raining, seeing the mass of gray come ashore and watch the rain fall. However if I could ever allow myself to leave to beach, I would love to explore the area. Especially with the pics Kurt, SJ, and other post.

We'll be staying at Inlet Beach where we always stay. Gulf front down the road across from the Spicy Noodle. iwishiasthere, unfortunately, the last time we were there, we could not go out on the beach anytime of day without the flies biting us. They would bite us morning and evening, and I like a early morning stroll down the beach every morning, and could hardly do so for the flies. I spent more time swatting at them then being able to hunt shells. We do manage to get to deck sit late at night after dark and watch the stars, listen to the waves, and watch people walk the beach hunting crabs.

Didn't mean to write a book with my post. :roll: But that is one thing we both despise, the ouch, biting flies, love bugs and dragonflies. Might have to go exploring those other places mentioned to see the sights. Will ask more toward August if anyone has had major problems with the flies at that point. If not, maybe we will luck up and the wind will not be out of the north much during our stay where we can enjoy the beach some. Sure hope so.

the dragflies are wonderful - they don't bother anyone and they are beautiful.

but, if you got a north wind in august, you got flies on the shore, for sure!!! and these flies I cannot abide!

just take your chances and enjoy. so many visitors never see sowal beyond the beach. maybe this is a chance to explore some of the parks, art galleries, towns along 30A, evening concerts, out of the way restaurants, etc. so much to do and enjoy. August nights are fabulous on the beach.

the dragflies are wonderful - they don't bother anyone and they are beautiful.

but, if you got a north wind in august, you got flies on the shore, for sure!!! and these flies I cannot abide!

just take your chances and enjoy. so many visitors never see sowal beyond the beach. maybe this is a chance to explore some of the parks, art galleries, towns along 30A, evening concerts, out of the way restaurants, etc. so much to do and enjoy. August nights are fabulous on the beach.

I do not dislike the dragonflies as much as the flies but you hate for them to hit you when on a scooter or driving along in your car because it kills them. The lovebugs are difficult to keep out of the townhouse. But I can tolerate them more than the flies, lets hope the wind will not always be out of the north while we are there. We went to St. Andrews State Park the last time down, would like to explore Grayton Beach State Park.

Sorry ladyd...you sound really bugged.

Sorry ladyd...you sound really bugged.

Buggy kind of problem, yes.

Buggy kind of problem, yes.

Everything bugs me! :funn: I cannot ever go in the back at my mother-in-laws down in the country to visit our dog Sapphire's grave and old Moe's grave and now our young Mo's grave without coming home with 3 ticks on me at least, and attached, the last time I walked down and visited Sapphire's grave I came home with 3 ticks attached to me, one on the side of my leg and two on a rather personal spot. After burying Mo 10 days ago, I came home and bathed and found 2 more ticks attached, both in a very personal spot, one on my right breast, one just under the left one, and one was crawling on my shirt down there. None ever get on my husband or my mother-in-law. He was out there a good bit of 5 hours digging. I was out there no more than an hour to an hour and a half in split up amounts of time over that 5 hour period. And I do not want lyme disease.

Hope this helps reassure you a little Lady D

Hope this helps reassure you a little Lady D

Low risk area. Thank goodness. One tick was so tiny I was afraid it was a deer tick. But regardless, I hate ticks. Worse than anything.

LadyD, it's the ticks that you don't find that can be a problem.
Not sure if you found dog ticks on you or what, but the deer tick (the size of a pinhead), that is more likely to carry Lyme disease.

Not sure how old Skunky's map is, and I know he means well.

I am not trying to be an alarmist, but Lyme disease cases are highly
misreported. Migrating birds have spread Lyme ticks nationwide.

Best course of action when you come in from gardening near bushes, or being in the woods is to remove all clothing and throw them in the dryer for at least 20 minutes. This will kill any ticks on clothes.
Wear deet around your ankles (ticks like to climb upwards and are attracted to carbon dioxide), wear socks tucked around your pants.

Do a full body tick check paying special attention to moist areas of the body. Check your hair too. Take a shower to remove any ticks that you may have missed. Ticks need to be engorged around 12 hrs or more to transmit Lyme disease and not all deer ticks carry Lyme disease.

Read up on proper removal if you do find an attached tick.

Here is a link to one of the TN Lyme groups that has some good info.

Don't panic, just be informed.
Lyme disease is very treatable when caught early.
and remember not all ticks carry Lyme in TN.

LadyD, it's the ticks that you don't find that can be a problem.
Not sure if you found dog ticks on you or what, but the deer tick (the size of a pinhead), that is more likely to carry Lyme disease.

Not sure how old Skunky's map is, and I know he means well.

I am not trying to be an alarmist, but Lyme disease cases are highly
misreported. Migrating birds have spread Lyme ticks nationwide.

Best course of action when you come in from gardening near bushes, or being in the woods is to remove all clothing and throw them in the dryer for at least 20 minutes. This will kill any ticks on clothes.
Wear deet around your ankles (ticks like to climb upwards and are attracted to carbon dioxide), wear socks tucked around your pants.

Do a full body tick check paying special attention to moist areas of the body. Check your hair too. Take a shower to remove any ticks that you may have missed. Ticks need to be engorged around 12 hrs or more to transmit Lyme disease.

Read up on proper removal if you do find an attached tick.

Here is a link to one of the TN Lyme groups that has some good info.

Don't panic, just be informed.
Lyme disease is very treatable when caught early.

Your suggestion reminds me of a friend being caught in an intimate postion and the child walks in.
Child asks, "Whatcha doing"....Adult reply..."Checking for ticks."

Your suggestion reminds me of a friend being caught in an intimate postion and the child walks in.
Child asks, "Whatcha doing"....Adult reply..."Checking for ticks."

MANgo and I look like monkeys cleaning each other after being outside.

MANgo and I look like monkeys cleaning each other after being outside.

:rofl: Dogs are wondering why I am laughing out loud!

Mango:nono1: I am NOT going to argue Lyme Disease with you, but in the interest of equal time, here is my own link with plenty of citations to back up the facts presented:

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/lyme.html

Done. Caveat emptor. Good point about the ticks being tiny

MANgo and I look like monkeys cleaning each other after being outside.

Mango:nono1: I am NOT going to argue Lyme Disease with you, but in the interest of equal time, here is my own link with plenty of citations to back up the facts presented:

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/lyme.html

Done. Caveat emptor. Good point about the ticks being tiny

No Skunky, I won't argue with you that people have gone to desperate measures detailed in your link to try and get well who were misdiagnosed for many years by physicians who read that type of information, and now have a chronic debilitating disease.
Myself being one of those people who went years misdiagnosed.

Further, the CDC only considers a person to have Lyme disease if they have a bulls eye rash AND a positive Lyme disease test. The physicians in the know report that only 50% of Lyme disease patients actually get a bulls eye rash. Lyme literate physicians also do not fully rely on Lyme disease tests as a basis for diagnosis, and also use specific labs that have yield better results, not your standard Quest Diagnostics Lab. So, the figures posted for 2006 are much higher than stated.

It's not an easy disease to diagnose, hence its been called the grayt mimiker since the symptoms can be just about any disease.

I am not a physician, but I have lived with Lyme disease and its
co-infections long enough to be in the know.
Yes, the prevalence of Lyme in TN and other states is less than the NE, and like I said, I am not trying to be an alarmist, but better to be aware.
Even in low incident areas, one should take proper precautions.
I do not think you can argue with that?

My own BIL got a typical bulls eye rash who lives in GA, and was told he didn't have Lyme by his doctor. Something about there hasn't been a case of it for like forever. Came to New York to visit and at my urging got tested, and it was Positive, he was treated and is fine now.

So Skunky, yes, there are quacks in any medical specialty, but I urge you to remain open minded. ;-)

No Skunky, I won't argue with you that people have gone to desperate measures detailed in your link to try and get well who were misdiagnosed for many years by physicians who read that type of information, and now have a chronic debilitating disease.
Myself being one of those people who went years misdiagnosed.

Further, the CDC only considers a person to have Lyme disease if they have a bulls eye rash AND a positive Lyme disease test.

Not true.

The physicians in the know report that only 50% of Lyme disease patients actually get a bulls eye rash.

Physicians 'out of the know' such as the folks at the CDC, NIH, Academies of Infectious Diseases in both North America and Europe opine that the rash is present in about 75% of the cases.

Lyme literate physicians also do not fully rely on Lyme disease tests as a basis for diagnosis, and also use specific labs that have yield better results, not your standard Quest Diagnostics Lab. So, the figures posted for 2006 are much higher than stated.

No physician relies on a Lyme test to make a diagnosis;there is a spectrum of findings elucidated from a history and physical exam. The test can bolster a diagnosis. This is similar to diagnosing syphillis, also a spirocetal disease with a 'screening' assay that is notorious for false positives but of less import in somebody who has no clinical complaints.

It's not an easy disease to diagnose, hence its been called the grayt mimiker since the symptoms can be just about any disease.

It is a challenging diagnosis like many other 'zebras', but shouldn't be too tough for somebody that bothers to take a good history and completes a decent physical exam.

I am not a physician, but I have lived with Lyme disease and its
co-infections long enough to be in the know.

What can I say, I am a physician and trust the rationale and research of the infectious disease specialists.

Yes, the prevalence of Lyme in TN and other states is less than the NE, and like I said, I am not trying to be an alarmist, but better to be aware.
Even in low incident areas, one should take proper precautions.
I do not think you can argue with that?

Nope, I hate getting ticks on me!

My own BIL got a typical bulls eye rash who lives in GA, and was told he didn't have Lyme by his doctor. Something about there hasn't been a case of it for like forever. Came to New York to visit and at my urging got tested, and it was Positive, he was treated and is fine now.

I would have treated him if he presented to me with the rash. A few weeks of doxycycline from Wal Mart, $4 generic for the entire course, no harm done.

So Skunky, yes, there are quacks in any medical specialty, but I urge you to remain open minded. ;-)

I am open minded, but when all roads seem to lead to expensive alternative therapy, I will remain a skeptic. It is the least I can do for my patients.

Skunky, it's a mute point to argue a disease like Lyme disease because like other conditions like autism, it's a political hotbed with many varying opinions.
All I wanted to go into here is awareness, proper removal of ticks, and prevention.

Peace man.

Skunky, it's a mute point to argue a disease like Lyme disease because like other conditions like autism, it's a political hotbed with many varying opinions.
All I wanted to go into here is awareness, proper removal of ticks, and prevention.

Peace man.

OK, I am all for tick hygiene