On day #24 of Nellie's trip north we cross paths with Joe and Punk of Carolyn Ann. Discussing that night's possible anchorages on the VHF Joe mentions a new one to us just on the NE side of the Alligator River bridge. Turns out this is a big, well protected spot in an area not otherwise known for shelter. After anchoring there we dinghied over and had cocktails on Carolyn Ann. The first sign of trouble appeared as we got back into the dinghy. Midges, which look like mosquitoes but don't bite, were everywhere. I'm not talking just a few either. Nellie's otherwise white surfaces were now black and undulating. Clouds of the critters encapsulated us too. We couldn't get below decks fast enough. Unfortunately the best was yet to come. That many little bugs can cumulatively leave a big 'calling card'. Dawn revealed bright green fly-specs--everywhere. It took hours to get the staining stuff off. Lesson learned, if you hear there may be a slight midge problem in an anchorage, steer well clear of it. DBH
