Invasion of the Orange Ladies!

We're back at White Pines, in northwestern Illinois, for the last weekend for Jim to finish up his volunteering at the park; then, we're on the road again, heading to Colorado and other spots before winterizing the Winnebago and putting it to bed before the white stuff hits. We voted before we left town, so our civic duty is done, and now, most likely, a jury duty notice will be in mail upon our return, LOL!

.Not a pretty sight, are they? This is not your average nice, ladybug.....these are Asian lady beetles! They have infiltrated the motor home, inside. Yesterday they covered the sunny side of the RV, in thousands, according to the lone camper here at White Pines. Last night, as I was unpacking, I found that they had come in via the bedroom closet slide. They are in the closets, drawers, and come out to cover the lights at night. We were killing them twenty at a time. They'd cover our arms, hair and faces. These bugs stink, and emit an oily yellow/orange juice which is staining our pleated shades, and everything else they touch. Today, they are swarms in the air, and you can't open your mouth, or be outside without being covered or buzzed by them. These guys are a real nuisance, and a force to be reckoned with. I just hope they freeze as we hit the mountains in Colorado.


What a nice birthday today. We took the 'gator on the ski/fire trails to explore the fall color. The dappled autumn sunlight changes everything, and is so pretty with the combination of shadow and light. The smell of pine is strong deep in the woods. We saw folks on the trail, enjoying the day as we were. We had lunch at the lodge, picked up trash when we saw it, but mainly we battled the bugs today. Tonight we had a nice campfire and roasted hotdogs, and watched the new moon peek in and out of the Halloweenie type clouds. I don't mind getting older at all. It's the looking older than 57, and feeling 77 that bugs me. Bugs me....get it????