Saturday At Sunny Chilly Lake Wichita

On this third Saturday of the 2026 version of October, it was to nearby Lake Wichita I commuted for some extremely pleasant nature communing and endorphin acquisition. 

The temperature got down to 49 degrees, las night, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

For some not understood reason, the air-conditioner decided to turn on last night about 2 in the morning, when the interior temperature was 69 degrees. I had a bout of trouble figuring out how to shut off the A/C.

Now, today, I get to have the fun I have every six months or so, trying to remember how to switch the A/C from one climate control setting to the other. COOL to HEAT, HEAT to COOL. Today it will be switching it from COOL to HEAT. I likely did not need to make note of that fact.

In the above photo documentation, we are heading out on the Lake Wichita Boardwalk.

And now, we are out at the end of the Lake Wichita Boardwalk, looking northwest, with Mount Wichita that small bump on the horizon.

Speaking of the Northwest. Looking at the Texas landscape today, brought to mind what it was like to look in any direction, north, south, east or west, from any location in Western Washington. You would see mountains. Tall mountains. Several of them volcanoes. 

At my current Texas location, any direction you look it is a totally flat horizon.

In the above flat horizon photo, we are now looking northeast, at the long Lake Wichita dam and that small thing which you see in the water is the Lake Wichita floating dock. Let's walk there next.

Now we are on that floating dock, looking slightly southwest at that Boardwalk we were on moments ago. And more flat horizon.

Everyone I ran into today was enjoying whining about the shockingly abrupt switch from high heat, as in temperatures in the 90s and 100s, to a temperature only 17 degrees above freezing.

Back when it was HOT I was looking forward to Winter. Now that I'm getting a sample of what that is like, I'm not looking forward to it quite as much...

Thursday Warm Sikes Lake Nature Communing

For my daily nature communing and endorphin acquisition, it was back to nearby Sikes Lake on this second Thursday of the 2026 version of October.

As you can see the outer world is dead calm today at my location, with nary a cloud in the clear blue sky.

What you can not see is that Summer has returned after a multi-day cool break, with today's high predicted to hit the mid 90s, as measured by the Fahrenheit method.

Yesterday the A/C was back in cooling mode, but what with it not actually being Summer any longer, at night the air has been naturally chilling enough that the A/C does not feel the need to turn itself on.

Cold water, out of the tap, is back being cold, after being warmer than lukewarm for months. This requires getting some used to, having to mix some hot water in with the cold in order to have oneself a comfortable shower.

In the above photo documentation, you are on the west side of Sikes Lake, looking northeast. You can almost make out the bridge which takes you across a narrow section of the lake, connecting the east side with the west.

Unexpected Thursday HEAT Sends Me Back To Walmart Air-Conditioned Comfort

I thought, what with today's second Thursday of the 2026 version of September forecast to get heated to a relatively chilly 95 degrees, for the high, that my regular nature communing time in the morning should be well below 95 degrees.

Well, I was wrong.

When I left my abode, opening the door, I was hit with a blast of HOT. I woke up my phone to see the temperature was 92 degrees. As measured by the Fahrenheit method.

92 degrees. With absolutely no wind blowing to create any sort of windchill effect.

So, it was back to the air-conditioned comfort of Walmart I drove for my nature communing and endorphin acquisition. 

You can see, via the above photo documentation, there was not much wildlife to observe, this morning, in Walmart.

Thunderstorms are still on the weather menu for later today. Along with some possible flash flooding. It does look as if the clouds are rapidly getting more dense.

The next couple days are predicted to be back over 100. And then next week a couple days with the highs being in the 80s. That is almost an air-conditioned temperature. 

Labor Day Laboring Over100 Degrees HOT

 The first Monday of the 2026 version of September, also known as Labor Day, is being a HOT one. 

With the weather forecast advising that one might want to avoid heatstroke by not being outside for extended periods of time, I opted, once again, to do my nature communing and endorphin acquisition in the air-conditioned comfort of my nearby Walmart. 

Currently this day after day after day over 100 degrees HOT is predicted to continue til around the middle of the month, when we are forecast to get chilled to highs in the 90s, along with some. thunderstorming.

The plant life at my North Texas location is suffering severely from the ongoing drought. A good couple downpours would be greatly appreciated.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.