The Hyde Side of Jekyll (part 2)

By Robin

Where would Dr. Jekyll be without the sinister Mr. Hyde? For such a gorgeous setting, Jekyll Island is filled with Minuscule Evil Beasts. We planned to camp here for nearly two weeks, but fled a week early, chased away by No-See-Ums, ticks and very cramped camping spaces.

NoSeeUms have been described as gnats that are All Teeth, No Body. Wee enough to get through the smallest window screen holes, they love to bite, bite, bite. And the bites itch. Badly. They got in our hair, under our clothes, in the kitty-cat’s fur and ears. They made us feel angry.

There are potent remedies (Avon’s Skin So Soft lotion and Victoria’s Secret’s Bombshell Perfume are well known repellents), but I am unable to use anything that has a scent. So those options were out for me. We found a local product mildly scented product called No Natz, which worked OK…but nothing completely keeps these bloodsucking monsters away.

Jekyll Island Campground is densely treed with heavy leaf litter underfoot. Ticks were everywhere. We found at least one tick a day on either us or T’Chat. Since we have had several family members experience horrific tick-related diseases, this especially creeped us out. 

Megan Desrosiers reminded me of the southeast coast’s prominent tick-born disease: Alpha-Gal Syndrome. Weeks to months after a bite from a tick carrying the alpha-gal sugar molecule, person may develop a severe allergy to all mammal meat. The link above explains the gory details. We did some thorough tick checks and will continue to do so throughout our trip. We were very concerned about getting alpha-gal syndrome and having to become Oregon vegetarian hipsters. Ross doesn’t need any more flannel shirts and I like him clean shaven.

The campground itself is a well-run operation on the northern tip of Jekyll Island. Unfortunately, they cram the RV’s in like sardines. I think I could read my neighbor’s book over her shoulder in the Airstream next to us. 

All in all, we were glad we stopped in the area, but I doubt we’d camp here again.

Stock photo of a No See Um.

The gnat bites on the back of my damn knee.

Stock photo of Cat and Squirrel.

Trailers, trailers everywhere!!!!!