Cool Canopy

We started at 2 p.m., later than recommended because it's normally hotter in the afternoon.

Nevertheless, temperatures were much cooler than last week's hike, when we labored to go four miles in 2½ hours.

The trail downhill was mostly shaded by trees. Bug breeding season had passed, so there weren't many to swat. It helped that there was little standing water.

This time we were able to travel seven miles in three hours. We'll try the eight-mile trail next time.