Summer doldrums and trip dreamin'

“For many of us in the hotter parts of the country, summer is hiking doldrums unless we can go at least 1000 miles away. Catch a plane or don't hike.

So as we enter the long dog months of deepest, most miserable heat and humidity, my mind is starting to wander and drift, and I'm dreamin' up these possible trips:

CALIFORNIA SURF/HIKE TRIP -- August or September. About a week to 10 days, hike for a couple days, go down to the beach and hit the waves, repeat.

OLYMPIC N.F. WINTER TRIP -- Ahh, the Washington State rain forest in winter. Perfect escape for a summer-baked mind. November-December, spend a day or two on the coast trails, camp, then head in to the Quinault, Hoh, and Bogachiel river trails. Hike throught the rain forest and up the mountains until the snow stops me.

Anyone else having any summer-induced visions?”

“Yeah, I'm looking forward to hiking in Sept and Oct, the best months in western NJ. Usually only bees and ticks to watch for in the way of bugs. Crisp clean air, blue sky, cold nights. I'm planning more trips than I will be able to do, but I'll get some in.”

“My hiking season will start back in September. Till then I just gotta wait out the heat and plan my Fall & Winter trips.
So far I got the White Mountains Trip, Talladega NF trip, Mt Rogers, Red River Gorge, & Thru-hike the North/South Trail at Land Between the Lakes.”

“Walkindude; what are your plans re. the LBL trail?”

“In the last few weeks I have set up or joined five trips between Sept and Dec. The anticipation is good for me--I need something to look forward to. I find myself working out petty details for something that far in the future. Nice daydreams.”

“i plan on hiking in north georgia next week, and central florida in a couple of weeks.

just got back from a few days at cumberland isle, too!

loooove that heat.”

“I lived in Louisiana last summer and I managed to continue to hike while enduring that heat! It sucked. My rewards are endless now that I live here in CO. I climbed Pikes Peak on Saturday and I will be hitting Mt. Evans on Tuesday if the weather holds out. It is so cool to be able to live in a place where I no longer have to worry about the doldrums of summer!”

“Rad, hiking in central Florida in August? Like, without a gun to your head?”

“i love that buzzing, humming heat.

i love it when it's so hot and bright that the glare from the ground will burn you within a few minutes. so hot that you pray for rain.

i love it when it is so hot that even the insects stay away. instead, they buzz from the shady spots that they can find.

i like the soothing calm of winter, but winter is a dead world. i like to be out when the world is alive and trying to survive.”

“Hey Rad, ever thought of hiking in Louisiana? Since you like the heat, you may find it kind of interesting. I kind of liked hiking through the swamps in the summer. There is just something to be said about being covered with mud and mosquitos as you tip toe around snakes and gaters. The Kisatchie National Forest may be pretty cool for you.”

“yeah, i do like it.

gojo seems to have an attraction to swamps, too.

i've found a couple of swamps in florida. LOL!!!!”

“Don't forget the nice little fire ants. Very friendly summer critters, cute too!”

“Hey Rad, watch out for the forest fires in Central Fla, I don't know if they are still raging, but when I was down there a few months ago the smoke was everywhere. Good luck.”

“I only hike down here in mid-winter, when the humidity has blown away and the mosquitos and fire ants have gotten sleepy. Even then I won't go if the temps climb over 70 like they often do in the winter here.

What I want to know is, how the hell does Rad get to sleep at night in the heat & humidity. Oh yeah I forgot, Raddie's Little Helper (hic).”

“hands off my myers!”