2006-11-20 Bee in the Helmet

Very warm central coast of CA day today.. unusually warm, even by our standards. Decided to make a Buckhorn run to New Cuyama, 166 just east of Santa Maria. On the way to the Buck, decided to check out 'Aliso' park. Sign said 6 miles ahead. Goat road. Ok, I'll bite. Always looking for that new great camping spot for the truck and camper.. On the way up the spine of a foothill, heading toward the base of the mountain..whapp!! damn, that hurts, what the F$^#$!? Double damn! Ride the bike.. Ride the bike.. Ride the bike. Slow down... hold the pain back.. Safely stopped. A so-called 'meat-bee' had penetrated the wind screen, into the helmet, by my temple.. and I don't know how, but that sucka stung me 3 times.. once just below the eye, once higher up and to the left, and finally where he/she? wedged into the helmet liner. 

Funny thing.. immediately took 2 Advils.. carefully noted the time... and how I was feeling. Face immediately swelled.. about 15 minutes later, I actually felt, uhm, 'giddy'. Like after a coupla beers.. Pulled over, did a self evaluation, then continued on the the Buckhorn. The left eye was just about swollen shut. Decided to take some downtime at Cuyama Park.. no need to run blind, besides, if the swelling got worse, the fire station is just around the corner.. Turns out, no big deal, just a bit of pain and some swelling. But damn.. for about 30 seconds, it was pretty exciting. And the giddy feeling? That was just strange.