Tick Tick

I think me and the Mother Nature of North Carolina are done for the summer. Don't get me wrong, I love the outdoors, and it's especially beautiful here in North Carolina. However, after finding a tick on me a few minutes ago after already removing one earlier this week, I'm done. Three's a charm, and in the tick-biting world that might mean Lyme Disease.

Here is a little info about ticks. They can't jump or fly, but they can crawl.. They can get you if you're leaning next to a tree, standing near a bush or sitting on a log. They might even fall from a tree. When they do get on you, they crawl to a moist warm spot on your body.

My first tick this week I either encountered while going for a nice walk through the forest next to Lake Jordan or the nice walk around the park at the Lost Colony Visitors center on Manteo Island. I found the tick on my back. It looked like a small freckle at first, but no, upon closer examination it was a tick. The second tick I encountered either while camping this weekend at Lake Jordan or during my nice bike ride a few minutes ago. I think I see a common theme here: Lake Jordan. I guess no more Lake Jordan for me during the Summer. I found this tick on the side of my waistline. It was a bit bigger than the last one and much harder to remove. The pictures are of the second tick.

And more info about ticks. The only way to remove them is by gently pulling them out. Don't try any other method. I just use a piece of toilet paper and my fingers, but the experts recommend tweezers.

On a more positive note, I went on an adventurous bicycle ride today. I explored a neighborhood near my house. The most exciting thing I saw was the mailboxes! I'm going to have to go back and take a few pictures before I leave. The houses were pretty neat too. I do love North Carolina. Just not in the summer. (Did I mention I found 3 spiders in my bathroom just now?)