Outdoor Tips

The words "hot" and "humid" do not even begin to define Little Rock and Arkansas over the past couple weeks. "God's apocalyptic wrath" might fit better with the current weather pattern. I'm beginning to believe that we are bearing witness to an anomally of physics: for the past two days of 100+ temps, I have noticed a great haze appearing at times for hours...no not pollution but a mist of sorts. It won't evaporate. It won't form a cloud. It just sits, lingers, and sucks energy from you. It is uncanny. Though it is not necessarily steam, it feels like sitting in a global sauna.

Anyway, camping in August is generally a big "no" for me... Experience has proven it time and again. But, the opportunity to break away from the Rock and hit the river seemed like it might be alright. My IPSP is coming to an end soon, and I haven't been on a trip just for the fun of a trip in a long while. Afterall, the Buffalo River valley tends to be a more temperate zone at any time of the year.

After a lengthy car ride to North Central Arkansas with my 2-65 A/C unit (2 windows at 65 mph) blowing unsatisfyingly hot air, Lara and I met up with my brother-in-law and friend, rented tubes (going all-out redneck), and hit the waters of the mighty lower Buffalo. It was "bathwater" warm. Though not nearly the icy cool blast I'd wished for, I plunked right on in there, tethered my new giant bobber cooler to my leg, and tossed it in the water behind me.

Anyway, the tips:
1) When your body hasn't seen direct sun for more than a year, it's a good idea to rock out with the highest SPF possible and reapply by the minute. Failure to do so equals a sweet burn all across your back.
2) If an armadillo comes a knockin', remember that, though they look weird and may prompt you to take a closer look, he can carry leprosy which could really put a downer on your weekend...
3) Floating bobber coolers are awesome. River people will laud and revere you as an earthbound deity.
4) Tubing is a control-free activity. You will become intimately acquainted with rocks, stumps, and trees.
5) Large groups of high school kids w/o adult supervision are a biblical plague.
6) Sleeping in and on a sweat-filled sleeping bag is not as cool as it sounds.

All in all I had a great time - souvenir sunburn not included. My one regret is that I failed to secure all the necessary ingredients to make "Carlos Slims" for everyone...so I just left my Tonka pie makers in the car.

However, my weekend was not a complete culinary calamity...I conquered ribs. Braving the heat of the sun and the grill, I stuck with them to the end...and the result? It was glorious.