121 Degrees Of Selfie Photo Documentation

Shortly before 5 this afternoon of the third day of the 2026 version of September, I braved the HEAT to make my way to Walmart, for some pleasant, air-conditioned nature communing. 

When I started up my vehicle and saw the vehicle's temperature monitoring device was indicating a Death Valley heat level of 121 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method, I got my phone out of its pocket, to attempt photo taking.

After several attempts with the phone camera to take a selfie photo with me in the rear-view mirror, which is the location of the temperature, and direction information, I was semi-successful.

You can sort of see via the photo documentation that I was getting a bit overheated. When you start up the vehicle, the air-conditioning takes a few minutes to reach comforting cooling.

I do not remember any previous year where I found myself looking forward to Winter, like I currently am...

HOT Texas Nature Communing Around Shrinking Sikes Lake

On this second day of the 2026 version of September, I found myself in the mood for outdoor nature communing, instead of the indoor air-conditioned nature communing I have been doing, of late, due to the outer world being way too HOT.

So, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I drove to do some high-speed walking. Which would make the above photo documentation the view one sees looking south from under the Sikes Lake Pavilion. 

See that bridge in the middle of the photo, bridging over shrinking Sikes Lake. In the next photo we will be standing on that bridge, also looking south.

Those two spots you see in the middle of the photo, in the water, looked to me to be seagulls. Do seagulls venture so far inland? I suspect not. Maybe these were albino geese, if such a thing exists.

It is about 20 days til Fall arrives. I hope Fall's arrival brings with it significantly colder temperatures. The current 10-day forecast has us going over 100 degrees, each of those 10 days.

124 Degrees Going To Walmart To See Weird Stuff

One of the reasons I enjoy going to Walmart is one never knows what one might see there. For instance, that which you see photo documented above. I parked a couple slots away from that unusual vehicle.

How is this thing street legal? It had a Texas license plate. How is all that stuff stuck on the car secured sufficiently to render it impossible for stuff to not come flying free whilst motoring, even at a slow speed.

Why would anyone want to drive such a thing?

That is just a variation of a thought which often crosses my mind whilst nature communing in Walmart, with that thought being why would that person wear that in public, or have that part of their body pierced or that hideous tattoo on their nose?

Below you see the temperature in my vehicle when I climbed aboard shortly before 5 this afternoon. 124 degrees as measured by the Fahrenheit method. Currently 100 degree plus days are being forecast well into September.

It was so HOT for Saturday's Hotter 'N Hell 100 bike race event, with the humidity so low, the dehydration danger so high, that the race was shortened from 100 miles to 100 kilometers.

Over 7,500 rolled their wheels on Saturday, with over 120 of the wheel rollers needing to be hospitalized.

I am so looking forward to winter and getting my long pants out of storage...

Sunny Sunday At Lucy Park Walking New Circle Trail Section With Ducks

Even though this final Sunday of the 2026 version of August is being Hotter 'N Hell, it was to Lucy Park I opted to venture for my daily nature communing and endorphin acquisition.

I will likely enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of Walmart, later today.

Lucy Park was an attraction today because I'd recently learned a new section of the Circle Trail was now ready to be walked on. That is part of the new section of Circle Trail you see photo documented above. That little bit of blue on the right is the Wichita River.

This new section of the Circle Trail has been years in the making. With its completion I believe there is only one section of the Circle Trail which needs to be completed, which will make the Circle Trail a complete circle. The uncompleted section is by Mount Wichita, along Lake Wichita, and is being stifled by some landowners who do not want the Circle Trail circling through their property.

To access the new section of Circle Trail I parked near the Lucy Park Duck Pond. It has been a few years since I walked in the Lucy Park Duck Pond zone.

As you can see, the Lucy Park Duck Pond sort of looks like a rain forest in Washington's Olympic National Park.

Above I came upon my first duck, today, in the Lucy Park Duck Pond zone. He politely posed for me.

Soon thereafter I found my trail blocked by a big flock of ducks. After asking them nicely they cleared a path for me.

I like the sound of a flock of ducks quacking.

I am looking forward to the coming significantly cooler days, wearing long pants and a sweatshirt. And no need for air conditioning...

Back To Communing With Nature In Air-Conditioned Walmart

Our couple day break from being way too HOT ended today, just in time for the Hotter N' Hell 100 bike race to be as HOT as advertised.

So, with the outer world being way too HOT, it was back to air-conditioned Walmart, this morning, for my daily bout of endorphin acquisition and nature communing.

Outer world nature communing will not be doable for quite a few days, if the current weather forecast is accurate.

Nature Communing With Wind Chill At Lake Wichita

This morning when I woke up my computer a little past 6am, the computer's temperature monitor was telling me the outer world was currently chilled to 68 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

That chilly temperature indicated this final Thursday of the 2026 version of August was going to be another under 100 degree day, like yesterday, making for outdoor nature communing and endorphin acquisition.

Yesterday it was to Sikes Lake I ventured, today it was to equally nearby Lake Wichita.

The air was cooler today than yesterday. With the strongest wind I have experienced in a long long time making for some good wind chill. Gusting, at times, making staying vertical a fun challenge.

Above you see the view I saw soon after exiting my vehicle. The dry spillway of Lake Wichita Dam. That spillway has been dry for years. I do not remember when last I saw water spilling over that spillway.

Above we are on the lake side of the dam, above the spillway. If Lake Wichita had its normal amount of water, that is what you'd see above, water about to spill over the dam's spillway. 

Above we are about to walk out on the Lake Wichita Boardwalk. I do not know what type vegetation it is that you see on both sides of the Boardwalk, But you can see that that vegetation is giving a good indicator of how windy it is.

Usually, when it is windy, walking out on this floating dock is a bit adventurous, what with the rocking motion. Today there was no rocking motion. I think the lake level is so low that the dock is no longer floating, but is sitting on the lake bottom.

Tomorrow, and for the entire Hotter 'N Hell 100 weekend, the temperature is predicted to be back over 100 degrees

Relatively Chilly Nature Communing Shrinking Sikes Lake

For the first time in what seems like weeks, the outer world temperature chilled to a level comfortable enough for outdoor endorphin acquisition, instead of the stifling air-conditioned comfort of Walmart, WinCo, Target or Lowe's.

So, with the temperature barely in the 80s, under a totally cloudy sun-free sky, it was to Sikes Lake I ventured for the first time in what seems like a long time, for some extremely pleasant communing with nature.

From the above photo documentation from the rocky east shore of Sikes Lake, looking west, one might think the ongoing drought has had no dire effect on this particular North Texas lake. One would be wrong to think that.

Above is what Sikes Lake looks like a short distance north of that view from the rocky east shore. I don't know why the duck flock hangs out at this part of the lake, instead of the part which currently does not look as if it is drying up.

Above and below, we are at the far north end of Sikes Lake, looking south. As you can see, mostly dried up.

With this section dried up for a long enough time for green vegetation to sprout.

Above I am heading back to my vehicular transport, standing on the middle of the bridge which takes one from one side of Sikes Lake to the other.

Possible precipitation was in the forecast today, along with the temperature only going to 99 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method. I did not expect to see any rain, as of late rain predictions have not been close to being accurate.

But, I was barely back in my vehicle, windows rolled down, when big drops of wet started hitting the windshield, soon falling copiously enough that I rolled up the windows, and took the above photo.

The temperature is currently forecast to be back well over 100 for this weekend's Hotter 'N Hell 100 bike event.

Wichita Falls Nearby Wildfire Evacuation

Yesterday, the day known as Monday, also known as August 24, I braved the record breaking 111-degree heat to drive to Walmart a few minutes before 5. As soon as I turned left on to Southwest Boulevard I saw a towering plume of smoke.

When I exited Walmart I took the photo you see above of that aforementioned towering plume of smoke.

I wondered if this was a wildfire and so checked to local news sources, online, when I was back at my computer. No mention was being made of a fire.

And then this morning, first checking the Wichita Falls Times Record News I saw no mention of a fire. I have previously made mention of the fact that the Wichita Falls Times Record News is the lamest newspaper I have ever encountered. 

After finding no mention of a fire in the one and only local newspaper I checked my more reliable local news source. The online version of KFDX TV, known as the Texoma Homepage.

As soon as the Texoma Homepage popped up on my screen I saw...

Evacuations in order for Jack County residents with large blaze

Clicking the link I soon read...

Residents in part of Jack County were issued an emergency evacuation order due to a wildfire that’s spread to 25,000 acres.

At just after 2:40 a.m. on August 25, an evacuation warning was sent out, saying that FM 4 – just southwest of Jacksboro – was shut down due to an ongoing wildfire spreading north.

According to our crew on scene, the entire area of Highway 4 North and East from FM 2210 to US Highway 281 is being evacuated.

The Ross fire began on August 24 in Palo Pinto County and has since spread over 25,000 acres into Jack County.

I assume this fire was the source of the above photo documentation. Texas counties are small. Jack County is a short distance south and east of Wichita County.

Record Breaking 111 Degrees Escape To Lowe's In Wichita Falls

When I woke up my computer this morning, at its regular 6 in the morning wakeup time, I saw the outer world temperature was already 88 degrees as measured by the Fahrenheit method. That early morning temperature had me thinking I was in for one super HOT day.

A few minutes later I checked in on today's forecast, to see that which you see screen capped above. A high today of 111, breaking the 2006 record of 109 degrees. 

With the heat being dangerous, as warned by the forecast, I took the minimize outdoor activity advice and opted to go to Lowe's for my regularly scheduled nature communing.

Lowe's works better for minimizing outdoor exposure purposes, because it is way easier to park near an entry door at Lowe's than it is at Walmart.

From the photo documentation you'd think Lowe's was not busy. But, I saw a lot of shoppers. Maybe not as many as is the norm at Walmart.

Lowe's seems even bigger than Walmart. And its air-conditioning is cooler. 

Walmart is far more entertaining for people watching purposes, than was the case with Lowe's. 

I do not recollect ever looking forward to Winter as much as I currently am...

Record Breaking 110 Degrees Friday In Wichita Falls

 Another way too HOT day at my Wichita Falls location in Texas.

110 degrees as measured by the Fahrenheit method, scheduled to break the record high of 109 set way back in 2023.

This morning, soon after I woke up my computer, I heard a loud bang, followed by the power going out for what seemed less than a second.

A power outage long enough that I had to reset the clock on my microwave, but all my other electronic devices, with clocks, managed to keep keeping time.

I think Walmart will once again be my walking venue, today.

Followed, maybe, by a quick dip in the way too HOT swimming pool, to get wet and then get cool as the HOT pool water quickly evaporates.

Escaping Possible Record Breaking HEAT In Walmart

Another way too HOT day in North Texas. 109, nearing the record for this day, of 110. 

A chance of a thunderstorm later today.

Some lightning strikes and thunder booms, along with a good downpour, would be a nice break from the monotonous clear blue-sky HEAT.

It was back to Walmart, again, this morning for my daily walk.

I am not the only one using Walmart for this purpose. One starts to see the same people, day after day, enjoying the air-conditioned hiking venue.

Today HOT Walking Walmart In Ghost Town Mode

Yesterday I did my daily salubrious endorphin inducing walking at WinCo, which I said was like a Ghost Town, with so few people in the store.

This morning, the third Wednesday of the 2026 version of August, it was back to my closest indoor air-conditioned walking venue.

Walmart.

This morning it was Walmart which was like a Ghost Town, as you can see via the above photo documentation.

Today's predicted temperature high is 108 degrees as measured by the Fahrenheit method. 108 is a few degrees shy of the record on this date, 111 degrees, back on August 19, 2014.

The HEAT does take a toll on one's energy. I can see why a lot of people do not want to venture out, unless they are in dire need of something. Maybe Walmart and WinCo get real busy after the sun leaves for the day. Both are open around the clock.

WinCo Ghost Town Tuesday Walking With Working ATMs

With today's, Tuesday, August 18, temperature, a few degrees under 100, as measured by the Fahrenheit method it was to the Wichita Falls Ghost Town known as WinCo I ventured for my daily walking purposes, instead of my regular, heavily populated Walmart walking venue.

You can see, via the photo documentation, why we refer to WinCo as the Wichita Falls Ghost Town, nary a human to be seen as we head down yet one more empty aisle.

A new WinCo is under construction, currently, in my old Washington hometown of Burlington.

I hope the Burlington WinCo does a better job of being the new store in town than has been the case in Wichita Falls.

From its opening the Wichita Falls WinCo self-checkout ATMs have not worked right. The ATM would reject the slip in the card chip method, multiple times, then instruct to use the slide the card method, which would fail a couple times, before working. 

The failing WinCo ATMs were sort of amusing, as it was a sort of group annoyance, shared by the fellow customers and the employee in charge of watching the self-checkout, who quickly tired of all the ATM woes.

A couple months ago one of the long-suffering employees told me new ATMs were supposed to arrive in August. And those ATMs would have the tap method, in addition to the chip and slide methods.

Well, last week I was at WinCo. The new ATMs had arrived. And they were worse than the previous. When the chip method was rejected, I beckoned the WinCo employee, who then came to my ATM, she  tried to figure out how the tap method worked, then tried the chip method, and finally the slide method worked, after we managed to figure out where the slide slot was.

And now today, for the first time since WinCo opened, almost a year ago. the ATM worked flawlessly. Where to tap the card was clearly indicated. A loud beep clearly indicated the tapping was successful.

I shared my ATM joy with the self-checkout employee, one with whom I had previously lamented with regarding the sad state of the WinCo ATMs. She was even more pleased than I was. She said it has made her workday so much more pleasant.

Sizzling HOT In Wichita Falls

Getting in my vehicle a half hour before 5 this Monday afternoon of August 17, with the outer world heated to 105 degrees as measured by the Fahrenheit method, when I started my vehicle the temperature display indicated it was 128 degrees in my vehicle's interior.

By the time I got my phone out for photo documenting purposes the A/C had knocked 4 degrees off those 128. It still felt HOT.

I am so ready for this tiresomely HOT summer to end. I tire of getting my daily endorphin acquisition via fast pace walking in Walmart.

Day After Day Hotter 'N Hell In Wichita Falls

This is being the HOTTEST summer, or so it seems, since I have been in Texas. Day after day after day over 100 degrees.

The above screencap shows today's, as in Sunday's, predicted high of 105 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method. Along with a screencap showing Wednesday's predicted high of 109 degrees, also as measured by the Fahrenheit method. 

Apparently, the record high for August 19 is 111 degrees, with Wednesday's predicted high of 109 possibly being a couple degrees HOTTER and breaking that record.

The Hotter'N Hell Hundred bike event takes place the last weekend of August, with the main event taking place Saturday, August 29. 

The past few years, if I am remembering correctly, the temperature has not been over 100 degrees for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred. 

At this point in the HOT time of the year there is no cold water flowing from our taps. It is extremely warm, warmer than lukewarm water.

The swimming pool is basically worthless for cooling off purposes, unless one finds getting in a hot tub of water to be a cooling experience.

Happy Birthday Card From My Dear Friend Donald

On this day, August 11, many many many years ago, I was born, in Eugene, Oregon.

The last couple days a surprising number of birthday cards have been showing up in my mailbox, and by other means.

But, none so surprising as a birthday card from Donald Trump.

I thought Donald was mad at me. I'd heard he did not like being made fun of. Which really makes no sense to me.

If one did not like being made fun of, why would one, with such an aversion, continually provide so much material which is so easy to make fun of?

I know, one should not end a sentence with a preposition. I can't help myself. I am picking up some bad grammar habits from my good friend, Donald...

Finding The Final Time All My Siblings Were With Mom & Dad

Tomorrow, August 11, it will be a quarter century since the above photo was taken. I believe that date, August 11, 2001, was the last time me and my siblings were together at the same location at the same time.

And, for certain, this was the last time me and my siblings were at the same location with my mom and dad and grandma Vera.

The occasion was mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary party.

I had not indicated I was going to attend this party. I drove solo from Texas to Washington. Only a couple of non-relatives, in Seattle, knew I was heading their way.

Mom and dad's wedding date was actually August 6, 1951. Their anniversary party was held on August 11 because that day happened to be a Saturday, and thus a more convenient day than the Monday August 6 fell on that year.

The above photo has been vexing me for several days. Because I could not find it. I wanted to use it for a blog post on this year's August 6 anniversary date. I knew I had several photos, as in dozens, taken that day.

Last night I finally photo the photos.

I'd forgotten I'd webpaged them. So, they were in the files of my Eyes on Texas website, which I terminated several years ago.

That solo drive back to Washington was the last time I have driven from Texas to Washington, and back, solo or not solo.

I stayed in Washington a couple weeks, arriving back in Texas not all that long before the infamous events of September 11 happened.

A month later, mom and dad arrived in Texas, their first of two times coming to Texas to visit their eldest son.

It is a bit hard to believe this was a quarter century ago....

Happy 75th Wedding Anniversary To Mom & Dad In Heaven

On this day, in 1951, August 6, my mom and dad got married.

Today, August 6, 2026, is mom and dad's 75th Anniversary.

The last time I attended an Anniversary party for my mom and dad was way back in 2001. 

25 years ago.

This was the last time I drove back to Washington. And the only time I did so, solo. 

No one knew I was going to be there.

The actual party took place on a Saturday, August 11, which also happens to be my birthday.

Somehow a happy birthday card was hastily assembled and given to me.

I was barely back in Texas when the 9/11 nightmare happened.

A month after 9/11, in October of 2001, mom and dad made their first trip to visit me in Texas. That time they still had their RV and stayed in an RV park in Arlington. Mom and dad made one more visit to Texas, I don't remember the year, but that time they stayed in a hotel in Arlington. I think by then I was doing the blogging thing. I shall see if I can find those posts.

Above is a photo from an earlier Anniversary party. This would have been sometime back in the 1980s, or 1990s. That is nephew Jeremy I am holding. Nephew Jason is in front of me. Nephews Christopher and Joey are in front of mom and dad. Sister Michele is sitting next to mom. Standing, from the left, my favorite brother-in-law, Jack, his wife, my sister Jackie, sister Nancy, ex-sister-in-law Cindy, and my brother, Jake next to me.

I think, in this photo, mom and dad are younger, by far, than I am now....

HOT Wednesday Burning In Wichita Falls

A few minutes before 5 o'clock, on this first Wednesday of the 2026 version of August, I exited my abode, heading for my almost daily visit to air-conditioned Walmart, when, as soon as I shut the door I heard shouting, someone screaming "call the police" and then what I thought were gunshots.

I went back inside my abode, looked out the window and saw a car on fire. I could see people standing, watching the fire, not in any sort of panic caused by guns shooting.

So, I exited my abode again, got to ground level, and took the photo you see above. There were multiple bursts of flame, making that noise which sounded like gunfire.

By the time I got to my motorized means of motion, two firetrucks had arrived. Then a lady drove onto my driveway, asked me if she could park there, and that that was her husband's car burning. 

By the time I got back from Walmart the entire scene was totally cleaned up.

No clue as to what caused this car to burn.  

We are well over 100 degrees today. I don't think that could be the cause of a car catching fire.

Nature Communing At Parched Sikes Lake Thinking About Washington Wildfires

For the first time in several days, on this third day of the 2026 version of August, it was to an outdoor venue, instead of Walmart, I ventured to do my nature communing and endorphin acquiring.

That outdoor venue today was Sikes Lake.

The temperature was in the low 80s. The past two days we have not heated over 100 degrees. Starting today, and into the near future, each August day is predicted to get over 100 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

As you can see, via the photo documentation of the view, looking south, from the north end of Sikes Lake, the lake is currently experiencing a water shortage. That is a line of geese on the sand bar created by the falling lake level.

So far, our lack of rain has not caused that which is green to turn brown, for the most part. 

Meanwhile, the longtime drought and parched conditions in my old home state of Washington has resulted in massive wildfires. The worst of which has forced the evacuation of over 60,000 Spokane residents, and has burned and destroyed hundreds of Spokane homes.

My longtime dear friend, Alice, has been reporting, via Facebook updates, her current condition in Tonasket. Tonasket is a small Eastern Washington town, north of Chelan and Wenatchee. Two days ago, Tonasket's law enforcement rolled through town with a loudspeaker informing Tonasketans that they were under a Level 2 Evacuation Warning. Level 2 means you need to be ready to evacuate, should the Level go to 3.

So far, Alice has seen a lot of smoke, and flames in the distance, but the fires have stayed out of Tonasket.

HOT Final Day Of July Nature Communing In Walmart's Air-Conditioned Comfort

Washington's Linda Lou called me when I had my hands full, whilst leaving my abode, on my way to Walmart for some salubrious late afternoon air-conditioned nature communing and wildlife observing.

When I got to my vehicle my hands were no longer full, other than the phone in my two hands, aimed at the rear-view mirror so as to photo document the temperature inside my vehicle.

120 degrees as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

The outer world temperature was way cooler than 120 degrees, at a relatively chilly 107 degrees.

Walmart's air-conditioner does a fairly good job at keeping it cool. My personal abode seems to do a better job at keeping cool, than Walmart. 

Rain and thunderstorms had been predicted for today. So far, neither has happened. Looking out my window all I see is a clear blue sky. No clouds.

The final day of July has been a HOT one. The first two days of August are currently predicted to be relatively chilly, in the low 90s.

July Goes Out In A Blaze Of HEAT

The final two days of the 2026 version of July are currently scheduled to be HOT. 104 degrees on the final Thursday of July, as measured by the Fahrenheit method, with it being three degrees HOTTER for the final Friday of the month.

We are currently on track to break the record for number of 100 degree days.

During my years of living in the west coast state of Washington any day with a temperature in the 70s, or above, was considered hot. In Washington, if you wanted to experience Texas-style heat all you had to do was head east of the Cascade Mountains, to the more desert-like climate of Eastern Washington.

Tomorrow's 107 degrees is also predicted to include a thunderstorm. That should be interesting, if it happens.
 

Avoiding Monday Heat Stroke Via Walmart Air-Conditioning

Due to the extreme current heat scorching us in North Texas the National Weather Service advised that it would be wise to limit one's outdoor exposure on this final Monday of the 2026 version of July.

So, it was to Walmart I ventured for my daily salubrious endorphin acquisition and nature communing.

Which would make the above photo documentation me aiming my phone camera at one of the Walmart security monitor screens.

You would not know it by the photo documentation, but it is actually quite bright inside Walmart. I do not know why my photo documentation seems to indicate otherwise.

Currently we are scheduled to have one HOT Day after another for the next 10 days, give or take a day or two. I think tomorrow I might opt for a different indoor nature communing location. Target. That store is not quite as big as Walmart, it is about the same distance from my abode, maybe closer, than Walmart.

The selection of wildlife one gets to see at Target is never as entertaining as that which I see at my nearby Walmart.

HOT 112 Degree Sunday Walmart Experience

A few minutes before 5 this last Sunday afternoon of the 2026 version of July, I opted to exit my air-conditioned comfort to walk the short distance to my air-conditioned motorized means of motion to drive myself to Walmart to enjoy some more air-conditioned comfort whilst observing the interesting wildlife.

The above photo documentation is me taking a photo of my vehicle's rear-view mirror, which also serves to indicate direction and the temperature.

As you can almost clearly see, we are heading South and the temperature is 112 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

Walmart's air-conditioner seemed to be having a little trouble keeping up with its cooling duties. Some must have known this would be the case today, as I have never seen so many scantily clad shoppers in Walmart on any previous visit.

Tomorrow is currently scheduled to be hotter than today.

A Relatively Chilly Thursday Sunflower Hike Around Sikes Lake

The last couple 100 degree plus days my nature communing has taken place in the air-conditioned comfort of Walmart.

Today, the 4th Thursday of the 2026 version of July, with the temperature in the relatively chilly 80s, it was to Sikes Lake I ventured for some salubrious outdoor nature communing and that activity's endorphin acquisition. 

In the photo documentation you are looking northwest from the eastern shore of Sikes Lake, looking through what I think is a patch of sunflowers.

According to the current forecast we will be having a lot of the coming days getting heated to over 100 degrees.

I no longer have cold tapwater. I have lukewarm tapwater. Actually, I think it feels warmer than lukewarm.

The swimming pool is too warm to make for a cooling dip. I half fill my bathtub with that lukewarm tapwater, which eventually cools to the air-conditioned temperature of 78, which makes for a cooling dip in the tub, which I did when I got back from Sikes Lake.

I am looking forward to Winter...

Escaping Dangerous 107 DegreeHeat Nature Communing In Walmart

The HOTTEST day of the year, so far, is currently predicted to happen today, going to 107 degrees as measured by the Fahrenheit method of measuring the temperature.

We are being advised to minimize outdoor activity today. So, no Sikes Lake, no Lake Wichita Dam, no Mount Wichita, no Wichita Bluffs Nature Area, no Lucy Park.

It is to Walmart I shall venture this morning for my nature communing and endorphin acquisition.

The wildlife at Walmart is actually more varied and interesting than any wild thing I see at any of my outdoor venues.

Hot Humid Sunny Sunday Lucy Park Nature Communing

On this third Sunday of the 2026 version of July, it was back to Lucy Park I ventured for some much-needed endorphin acquisition  acquired by doing some nature communing whilst high speed walking.

I avoided the Lucy Park Backwoods Jungle today assuming it had been rendered muddy by the recent rain. The paved trails in Lucy Park do not get muddy from rain.

Due to that recent rain, humidity is high. By the time I was back in an air-conditioned space I was as wet as I would have been had I been walking in a downpour rainstorm.

Sikes Lake Fishing With Grandpa

With the temperature in the 70s, heading to a relatively chilly predicted high of 90, on this second Tuesday of the 2026 version of July, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured for some much-needed nature communing and its resulting endorphin dose.

The bucolic scene you see in the above photo documentation is from the bridge at the west end of Sikes Lake, looking at a grandpa fishing with his grandkids.

You cannot see it in the photo documentation, but the grandpa is holding up a fish he'd just caught, whilst a lady to his right took photos at the same time I was.

Hard Hitting Jouralism About Golden & Bald Eagles In Wichita Falls Times News Record

What you are seeing above is a screencap of the front page of today's Wichita Falls Times Record News.

The pitiful publication which is this town's local newspaper of record. 

When I first found myself living in Wichita Falls I subscribed to the online version of the local newspaper. I did not subscribe for more than a year or two, as I gradually realized there was very little news of any interest in this newspaper.

Today's front page is a good example of how lame this newspaper is. The top story, "Why golden eagles are different from bald eagles."

Eventually I learned an online publication called "Texoma's Homepage" was an actual good source of local info.

For instance, this past 4th of July I saw nothing in the Wichita Falls Times Record News about the annual parade in downtown Wichita Falls. I found that info, easily, on Texoma's Homepage. Including a second article the day after the parade, about the parade.

When I still subscribed to the local newspaper of record I soon began to think this newspaper had no actual reporters working at reporting local information of interest.

I've lost track of how many times I have opined if this town had a real newspaper we'd be reading an article about this, that, or the other thing.

For instance, starting on this year's Flag Day, I saw an incredible number of flags. Hundreds of flags. Even more on the 4th of July weekend. Where did all these flags come from? Who is distributing all these flags? Where are all these flags being stored when they are not on display?

I asked people in other towns if they've been seeing a similar huge increase in the number of flags. No, they have not.

So, what caused this to happen in Wichita Falls? That is the type question you'd find answered in a real newspaper reporting real news, and not revelations about the difference between a golden eagle and a bald eagle...

Balmy Lucy Park Sunday Backwoods Jungle With No Snakes

 On this balmy second Sunday of July, it was back to Lucy Park I ventured for some salubrious nature communing, completed before the temperature soared over 100 and the predicted thunderstorms arrived.

I hiked the Lucy Park Backwoods Jungle today. That is one of my favorite hiking venues. That is the Wichita River you see photo documented, meandering its way through the Lucy Park Backwoods Jungle.

The Lucy Park Backwoods Jungle is the location where I saw the biggest snake I have ever seen, outside of a zoo.

I think of that huge snake every time I walk by this location you see photo documented. 

It has been many years since I saw that over-sized snake. I don't think I have seen a snake of any size since I saw that really big one. 

Did that deep freeze below zero a few winters ago kill off the snake population?

HOT July Saturday Nature Communing Around Sikes Lake

Another HOT July day at my north Texas location.

Before it got too HOT today, I opted to do my daily nature communing at nearby Sikes Lake.

Which would make the above photo documentation the view looking northwest from the rocky eastern shore of Sikes Lake.

A steady wind was blowing whilst I was nature communing. But not at the air-conditioning level I enjoyed yesterday whilst nature communing at Lake Wichita.

Thunderstorms are on the weather menu this afternoon.

With the current clear blue sky, I don't see that likely happening. Weather predicting at my location does not have a good record of accurately predicting.

So far the second Saturday of the 2026 version of July is being relatively pleasant.

Breezy Friday Naturally Air-Conditioned Lake Wichita Dam Walking

With the temperature below 100 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method, with a strong wind blowing, it was to Lake Wichita Dam I ventured this second Friday of the 2026 version of July for some salubrious nature communing whilst enjoying natural air conditioning.

Via the photo documentation, you can see the wind was making for some good wave action. This made for wobbly walking on the walkway and dock.

I don't recollect ever seeing anyone kayaking, canoeing or boating by any means on Lake Wichita. At the part of the lake by Mount Wichita there is a boat launch for kayaks and canoes.

I have also never seen anyone swimming in Lake Wichita. There are no signs advising against doing so. I suppose the lack of the type beach one sees on a lake in which people swim, may explain the lack of swimming. 

That and the murky nature of the water does not look too appealing...

HOT Thursday Shady Lucy Park Nature Communing

On this second Thursday of the 2026 version of July, my Texas location on the planet is scheduled to get heated to over 100 degrees today, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

Today's weather advisory advised using caution regarding outdoor exposure to the extreme HEAT.

With that HOT advisory in mind, I opted to take myself to Lucy Park today for some shady nature communing on the Lucy Park paved trails.

As you can see, via the photo documentation, the shaded Lucy Park trail does not look even remotely like a location in need of using caution in the extreme HEAT. The relative pleasantness was helped by a steady cooling breeze.

I only came upon one other person, today, nature communing in Lucy Park. And that person was doing his nature communing on a bicycle.

If I think about it, I miss bike riding. I think it was pre-COVID my final bike was stolen.

HOT Hiking Around Mount Wichita Power Outage

This first Tuesday of the 2026 version of July I needed to visit the post office to securely mail an envelope which contained something which needed to be securely mailed. 

And so, since the post office is about halfway to Lake Wichita Park, which is located at the west end of Lake Wichita, and since it had been a long-time since I had been to the park where Mount Wichita is located, I opted to drive there to get myself overheated hiking the HOT Circle Trail to its termination point.

That would make that a statue of a couple veterans in the Veterans Memorial Plaza, which is near the base of Mount Wichita, you are seeing in the photo documentation above and below.

There are multiple installations on the Veterans Memorial Plaza. It is a well-done memorial.

When I was first living in Wichita Falls hiking to the summit of Mount Wichita multiple times, during one visit, was the norm. Now that I am elderly there is no way I would try to even get to the summit, one time.

A couple years ago the Circle Trail was added to, a couple new miles, terminating where a property owner has put up a fight, not wanting this well-done paved trail to cross his property. I walked to that termination point today. The property owner is still blocking the trail with multiple boats.

This was the view I saw when I turned around from the trail termination point, with Mount Wichita looking as if it rises from a lush jungle.

Returning to my abode, parking, I could not get my vehicle's interior lights to turn off. That took about 15 extremely overheated minutes to figure out.

And then, after I got the vehicle's lights out, I opened the door to my abode to find the power was out. Lunch was in the timed oven, now no longer cooking.

With no power it does not take long to miss the comfort air conditioning provides.

About a half hour later the power came back on.

A few winters ago, it was a Texas-wide nightmare when the power went out for several days, with the temperature below zero at my location. I think the power going out for days with the temperature reaching over 100, would be worse than it happening when it is below zero. 

I hope I don't get to find out if that is true.