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.

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.

Nature Communing With Lake Wichita Dam's Green Reflecting Pool

It was to Lake Wichita I ventured this second morning of the 2026 version of July, for some hot, but breezy, nature communing atop the Lake Wichita Dam.

I do not recollect previously seeing the DANGER sign you see above, previously. There were two instances of the sign. One on top of the dam, another near the bottom of the dam.

The warning on the sign...

DANGER

HAZARDOUS RECIRCULATING

CURRENTS BELOW THIS DAM

CAN TRAP AND DROWN A VICTIM

It has been a few years since I have seen any water spilling over this dam's spillway. But, somehow there has managed to be water at the base of the dam. But that water is definitely not presenting any sort of recirculating danger. As you can see via the below photo documentation.

The water at the base of the dams appears to be colored in the currently popular Reflecting Pool Green color which has been so often talked about of late.

A short distance from looking over the Lake Wichita Dam's spillway the Lake Wichita Boardwalk takes you out over the lake. I took the photo from this view due to the fact I don't remember seeing this tall, green vegetation, at this location, before. I like this lush jungle-like vegetation.

Lake Wichita is only about a mile south of my home location. Sikes Lake is about a quarter mile from my home location. The nearest Walmart is about a mile east of my home location. It's nice having so many nearby walking venues.

Enjoying July 1 Hot Wind Chill Factor Hiking Sikes Lake

With the temperature in the relatively chilly mid-80s, on this first day of the 2026 version of July, it was to nearby Sikes Lake I ventured this morning for some salubrious endorphin acquisition gained via fast walking.

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

As you can see from the wave action on the lake the air was being a bit breezy, which made for a nice cooling effect.

Today we are not scheduled to go over 100 degrees, as measured by the Fahrenheit method, with the predicted high to being only 97 degrees. The past several days we have been heated to over the 100 degree mark.

The 4th of July is currently predicted to heat to over 100 at my location. The downtown Wichita Falls 4th of July Parade starts at 9 in the morning. Currently I am not feeling too eager to attend this, though I have rather enjoyed past times watching this parade.