Point Mugu

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Point Mugu, California, eight years ago today… undeniably beautiful, but it’s what you don’t see in this photo that we’ll always remember: tiger mosquitoes!

I’m actually surprised we were able to stay still long enough to snap this photo. Although, if you made it all the way to the edge of the water, the mosquitoes were slightly better. If you’ve never experienced a tiger mosquito, look them up....and cross your fingers you never cross paths with one!

Tim and I were staying at this beautiful oceanfront Navy base hotel, right on the Pacific Coast. It was a postcard-worthy location, but we were basically prisoners inside unless we wanted to brave the attack we knew would begin the moment we opened the door.

Every time we needed to get to our car, we would run. Once inside, we’d spend a few minutes making sure none of those attacking mosquitoes had managed to follow us. If one did, it was game on until they were all dead. Until then they would attack viciously, biting nonstop, and the bites actually hurt!

From inside our room, we’d look out at the ocean, debating whether it was worth making a run from our room to the shoreline, and wondering just how fast we could get there. The seals were swimming peacefully, the views were spectacular, and the whole scene looked like paradise… if only we could actually enjoy it!

In the end, we gave up our beautiful oceanfront room and moved to a hotel farther inland, where the mosquitoes couldn’t find us. Apparently, the tiger mosquitoes are only that bad for about two weeks out of the year. Lucky us to have had that timing!

When this photo popped up in my memories, I couldn’t help but laugh. It looks so scenic and peaceful, and no one looking at it would ever know the sheer terror we felt trying to hold still long enough to take it. Some stories live only in our memories, and sometimes, those are the best ones.

I’ve told Tim that a return trip to California may be in order. We could stay at this beautiful location, enjoy the ocean, the seals, and the views, and, most importantly, go when the mosquitoes aren’t taking over! It’s right next to Malibu, so it’s not exactly a bad place to be… just minus the biting monsters. Eight years later, I think we’re ready to give Point Mugu another chance! 

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” — Jack Canfield