Summer twilight brings the mosquito. In fact, when we go far north or far south, we have him with us both day and night. Rather I should say that we have her; for the male mosquito is a gentleman, who sips daintily of nectar and minds his own business, while madame his spouse is a whining, peevish, venomous virago, that goes about seeking whose nerves she may unstring and whose blood she may devour. … Stranger still, the mosquito is not only a bloodsucker but an incorrigible winebibber as well – she will get helplessly fuddled on any sweet wine, such as port, or on sugared spirits, while of gin she is inordinately fond.
— “The Book of Camping and Woodcraft” by Horace Kephart (The Outing Publishing Co.) 1908
“Mosquitos”… riiiiight 😉
Actually, we were attacked by them yesterday. My poor daughter got 12 bites in 15 minutes. Blech!
Here in NC the mosquito is so bad it is the state bird.
I’m guessing there’s a future build of a campaign style cot?
Used to be a bus driver/tour guide (Jammer) in Glacier Park. Skeeters in the backcountry there would carry off grizzly bears!
Nice campaign folding cot. Also like the heads up that wine and spirits might aid in baiting mosquitoes.
I would love to know where you came across this book.
It is a fantastic book. Hilarious, really. I cannot stop reading it.
I bought two copies (different editions) from AbeBooks. It is available on GoogleBooks:
http://books.google.com/books?id=_MoOAQAAMAAJ&dq=camping%20and%20woodcraft&pg=PA3#v=onepage&q=camping%20and%20woodcraft&f=false
Wooden cots may invoke nostalgia, but as someone who grew up with them, I much prefer the (quality)modern steel frame and nylon versions.
Really? I have horrible memories of sleeping on those steel cots only to wake in the morning to find my jaw or some other part of my face, legs or arms aching and/or misshapen because I slept too close to the edge. Granted, wood might do the same thing but somehow I think it might be more forgiving.
Wood and canvas cots weigh a ton. Once the canvas is stretched, it turns into a big lumpy bag. The threads wear and disintegrate prematurely if you wet the canvas and let it dry in the sun to shrink it. Also, they can’t be stored for long where there is a lot of moisture like basements or garages.
On the plus side, the canvas has more insulation than nylon and your tongue won’t stick to a cold wood cot leg–not that I’ve ever seen, anyway. And, the wooden cots will support a LOT of weight. They are also easier to repair compared to steel and nylon cots.
My .02 🙂