It seems like yesterday, or February, that I was driving to the trails in 0˚ temps. Today, as I made my way to them, it was 77˚ at 6:30 AM. In other words, conditions were great for lumbering, provided you get out and done by 9 AM. If not, you’re screwed. Or at least VERY hot and very sweaty.
Given the higher temps, I figured I’d start the week with one of my 5-mile loops (5.15), and then hopefully, by mid-week, when some rain moves in to cool shit down a bit, I can move back to my 6 and 7-mile loops. Either way, until the heat breaks, I’m going to need more than just one flask of water.
I think the heat had a lot of critters feeling lazy, and I didn’t see too much activity other than a random wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) crossing the trail near the campground area.
After last week’s unplanned rest week and a lazy weekend that only included mowing the lawn and a photo creep at Sylvan, I was feeling unusually spanky Monday morning, and it was a good indication of how much I must have needed a chill week.
Speaking of people being assholes…
You can tell that the summer river tubers are back in force given that during my hike, I saw two discarded inner tubes left near the river, an inflatable rowboat along one of the trails hundreds of yards from the river, discarded socks, multiple beer cans in the parking lot, and a lot of other random trash that couldn’t find its way to one of the numerous garbage cans that are in the lot and at various trailheads throughout the woods.
It’s always funny to me (in a sad way) that when I’m in the woods, I almost act like I’m in a church or a library. I don’t talk loudly, I don’t carry a fucking Bluetooth speaker with me, I don’t wear headphones, and I sure as hell don’t litter or leave inflatables along the trail. OK, OK, I know I’ve had my share of emergency woodsy dumps in my life, but I always take great care to leave no trace so as not to be a fucking asshole (no pun intended).
If a fat man shits in the woods and no one sees it,
has he really shit in the woods? — Unknown
Later.