This morning I awoke to a temperature of 63 degrees. I couldn’t remember that last time it wasn’t in the mid-70s when I got up — weeks, at least — let alone in the low 60s.
It was a sign, a sign I always look forward to come August: that fall is on the way.
Last week we were hiking along the Eno River on a sunny, hot day: sunny, as in lots of azure amid a few harmless, billowy clouds; hot, as in seasonable, around 90. And yes, quite humid. A typical summer’s day. I loved it.
Why? It reminded me of being a kid.
A summer hike isn’t a summer hike unless it includes water, the more water, the better. And the more water in more forms, better still.
Forms?
You know, the 5 major forms of mountain water:
Today, we share one of our favorites in each of these 5 categories. And the envelopes, please …
The good news for the weekend: the heat — excessive heat — will move out. It will, however, be replaced with a little rain. So keep a close eye on the forecast, the radar and the sky before heading out. And when you do head out, here are 5 of our favorite options for the weekend.
You like the idea of hiking solo, but the thought of being alone in woods makes you uneasy, at best.
Most of us hike in the protective bubble of a group, and that’s a good thing. You have people around should anything happen: a twisted ankle, overheating, you emerge from deep conversation to discover you have no idea where you are. Critters, including the few potentially harmful ones, are more likely to scatter when they hear a group approach. Strangers present less of a danger when you’re in a group. And there’s the social element.
