The 2023 hiking season got off to a mosquito-y start. Even as I type this, the little devils are circling around me as I sit at the picnic table, whining and landing on my knuckles, the only unprotected part of my flesh.
But never mind about all that. Our first hike took us to Schoolcraft State Park, or, as I think of it, “O. Henry Schoolcraft State Park.” Although the park was only created in 1959, Henry Schoolcraft made his appearance in this area in 1832 as he did some investigative research into the mystery of where the Mississippi River headwaters were. I’ve written about that already in my post about Itasca State Park, which you can read HERE. He was unsuccessful in getting that park named after him, but maybe he’d be pleased to know that another state park bears his name. Or maybe he’d feel abashed and dismayed. Here’s a photo of him from back in the day.
We didn’t arrive at the park until around 1:50 p.m. and started off on the 1.8 mile hike by 2:00 after getting all our hiking gear on. The park was deserted except for us and a million mosquitos. We lathered up with DEET-less mosquito spray and hoped for the best. I read somewhere that mosquitos are attracted to certain blood types. If so, my blood is clearly of gourmet restaurant quality to them. Have I said too much about mosquitos?
The hike itself was very pleasant, as far as I could tell, although you should ask my husband for details. I was walking through it very rapidly to get ahead of the little offenders who shall not be named again. They found me anyway. The path was level and nicely lined with pine needles.
We saw some early spring ephemerals along the way and for part of the trail we walked along the Mississippi River.
I stopped occasionally for a quick photo, fighting off the enemy as best I could.
The trail is called the “Old Grand Rapids Tote Road,” which was constructed more than 100 years ago. Just think how many feet have walked that path! We made our way through many stands of pine tress and the occasional grouping of oaks. A flicker of movement ahead at one point alerted us to the departure of two deer, their white tails winking out of sight in the distance. Nice.
For awhile our hike was accompanied by a very loud bird that sounded as if it was at a baseball game and its team was losing. Assuming you’re tired of seeing the flawless and beautiful close-ups that actual nature photographers get, you’ve come to the right place. I like to think my photos are still somewhat artsy in their clumsiness. Don’t burst my bubble.
We came across a lone park employee in a four-wheeler. He spoke to us about the only really important topic of the day: Mosquitos. You didn’t really think I wouldn’t name them again, did you? His words of wisdom to us were that they weren’t really bothering him since there was a nice breeze. I added, “as long as you keep moving,” and he came back with, “or as long as the breeze keeps moving.” It was quite a sparkling conversation in the wilderness. I noted that his tee-shirt said something about rhubarb on it, signaling that he was probably born and bred in Minnesota. He went on his mosquito-less way.
Not long after that, we saw the most beautiful sight of all: our shiny blue car, all sparkling in the sunlight. A haven from mosquitos! A blessed tiny world with air conditioning!
The Schoolcraft State Park people might read this and feel that I have misrepresented the experience of being at their park. I think that’s a fair complaint. If you take away the whiny insect component of the park, it was quite lovely. If you go, bring your best friend, DEET. You won’t be sorry.
Knee score: 1 out of 10. Level and short.
P.S. A post-script about mosquito bites and their remedies. I thought I’d tried them all (with varying degrees of success) until I began seeing ads for something called “The Bug Bite Thing.” I mean, why complicate your product by giving it a name that doesn’t get right to the heart of the matter? We saw one at a gas station on the way up and decided to give it a try. The idea is that you suction out of the bite whatever irritating thing the mosquito puts in your skin to make it so itchy. You have to do it right away for the best result. I’m always desperate for ways to alleviate the torturous itching that I get from those bites. I’d say the results were mixed. If you use it right away after getting the bite, it does the trick! But that’s often not practical, and sometimes while you’re trying to suction away one bug bite, the mosquitoes are busy making more.
I’ll probably suction the juices out of this post in the morning.
Next hike: Scenic State Park
Lynniebeemuseoday 
I like the short and level! We’ll have to find this hike soon! 🙂
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