as an avid backpacker and the fiance of a veterinarian i have quite a bit of knowledge of ticks.
1: don't worry about getting them. sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. i don't see them as that big of a deal (yes, the high grasses are where they LOVE to hang out)
2: thorough inspection upon getting home is key for finding and removing them. they like dark and hot. so check those areas (back of neck, armpits, knees, crotch, legs
3: lyme takes 48-72 hours to transmit, so #2 is your best defense against that disease (learn proper tweezer technique for removal of tick).
4: lyme isn't the end of the world. very treatable with doxycyclin. watch for symptoms, as the bullseye doesn't always show up. it's a simple blood test at the doctor.
5: permytherin is a very effective insecticide at preventing ticks. this is a chemical that you can spray on clothing you wear into the woods. shoes, socks, pants would be the areas that i would spray (i do this on my hiking clothes in the spring). it is toxic to cats, frogs, and fish. so if you plan to stand in streams don't use it, or if you have cats at home don't leave those clothes around where the cat can lie on them. deet is also an effective way of keeping them off you in the woods. spray every couple of hours to mask your co2 output.
hope that helps...