Holy buzzing varmints from hell Batman!

Just got back from Tennessee, where we experienced the 100-decibel racket from the invasion of some million+ horny cicadas. It's like a nightmare scene from a poor sci-fi movie – as if hundreds of chainsaws were fired up at once. They were hitting our windshield like eggs, with big nasty smears. Glad I didn't have to detail those cars, 3M would be proud of making goo that sticky.

It's a 13-year cycle, where they descend in hordes to mate... and buzz. Apparently... they're quite tasty when breaded and deep-fried. I've tried some rather unorthodox things during press trips (eel and octopus that was still squirming come to mind) but that's one I'd pass on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqys8lKsu4s&feature=related

I can't help asking if ANY good noises come from Tennessee.

(Just kidding, Nashville fans, just kidding.)

Haahaa... we visited the Country Music Museum, interesting, although I really don't like the twangy hurtin' songs. It was cool seeing Elvis's Caddy though, and some of the rhinestone outfits were out of this world. Funny that all the cars we drove had specially prepared CDs to showcase the new Fender sound sytems... with everything from Adele to BB King and nary a single country song to be heard.

Stealthtercel wrote: I can't help asking if ANY good noises come from Tennessee. (Just kidding, Nashville fans, just kidding.)

Im not!

Joey

IMHO, Nashville is no longer the home of Country Music. You have to go to Texas or the Appalachians for that.

joey48442 wrote:

Stealthtercel wrote: I can't help asking if ANY good noises come from Tennessee. (Just kidding, Nashville fans, just kidding.)

Im not! Joey

some one from Mi crapping on Tenn...... hard to figure that one ....

They were here a million years before the Rental Car.

Sorry.

mtn wrote: IMHO, Nashville is no longer the home of Country Music. You have to go to Texas or the Appalachians for that.

i thought Branson was the country capitol of the world?

last had the cicadas here in '04, not due back till after the Rapture

They are really loud here in Arkansas. I've been here since '01 and we have never heard this. When they started up, I though there was someone out on the road with some type of heavy equipment. At least they shut up after dark.

I've got a bunch of them all over the front of my van from my trip last weekend. They were all over the place from Nashville south on I-65.

Haven't heard them at my house, but every morning I find their discarded wings in my garden.

I think they're really cool actually. We get 'em up here, but not in such overwhelming droves. I couldn't believe how loud they were in numbers.

I think we are due to get them next year.. should be interesting

Don't let that stuff dry on your windshield (or paint). They are made out of some kind of crazy glue that is damn hard to remove when it sets.

They bust like epoxy filled paintballs.

Press cars (we drove the new Passat out of Chattanooga)

wow.. I am glad they are not proliferating around here then... I hate to say it, but I HATE cleaning my cars

So, Lesley: can you tell us what you thought of the Passat?

Need to post artsy photos of squashed cicadas on the Passat

It's really quiet, and much larger than the outgoing version. Nice tight suspension, neutral handling. Didn't drive the base model, but I heard it laboured a bit uphill. TDI was nice, lots of low end grunt and mid-range power. Rather conservative interior. Good stereo

Freshly hatched and still white, they taste like asparagus. They do squirt in your mouth on the first bite. That takes a little getting used to.

I am SO glad I already finished breakfast

foxtrapper wrote: Freshly hatched and still white, they taste like asparagus. They do squirt in your mouth on the first bite. That takes a little getting used to.

WTF?

Why would you even want to try that!?!?!?

They're loud and numerous here in Missouri, too. It's funny, but they sounds just like the Ants in "THEM!" from the 50's...

Trans_Maro wrote:

foxtrapper wrote: Freshly hatched and still white, they taste like asparagus. They do squirt in your mouth on the first bite. That takes a little getting used to.

WTF? Why would you even want to try that!?!?!?

I also suck snot from rocks. Otherwise known as eating raw oysters on the half shell.

Seriously, just because a food is unconventional here in the obese comforts of the USA doesn't mean it can't be eaten. From fried scorpions to sweet breads. There's a lot more stuff that is perfectly good food. I like to try them.

On the lunatic fringe aspect of things, I like to be comfortable with things like this. That way should something go wrong and I find myself having to survive rather harsh conditions, I'm well prepared for it. My tummy won't get upset, and I already know how to find the alternative foods. That's why I already know how to start fires by banging rocks together, how to stay warm in a freezing rain, why my snowshoes are magnesium, and a host of other tricks that I hope I never have to actually use to stay alive and comfortable.

Besides, cicadas are free, asparagus doesn't grow wild here, I have to pay money for the stuff.

So, grasshoppers taste like shrimp, roaches are sweet, worms are just plain nasty, lichen is crunchier than grapenuts, big ants taste like lemon drops (but don't let them bite your tongue), etc.

Grasshoppers taste like shrimp eh? Hm... methinks a little garlic butter....