Most of us assume that the only way to experience a radically new place or culture is to travel abroad鈥攁nd who’s got the time or cash for that? But right under your nose, in small towns across America, there are dozens of quirky outdoor festivals that let you immerse yourself in some pretty unhinged corners of society. From giant pumpkins to rare fungi to DIY outhouses, there’s a festival for everything鈥攁nd we love a good excuse for a road trip.

Another bonus? Many of these small-town festivals are inexpensive and grassroots鈥攇iving them a homegrown feel that big, commercial festivals just can’t replicate. Here are 14 under-the-radar festivals that will spark your curiosity鈥攁nd leave you with plenty of memorable experiences and wild stories your group chat won’t be able to top.

: Roswell, New Mexico

July 3-6

This festival pays homage to a 1947 UFO sighting that made national headlines. The shiny unidentified object was later identified as debris from a military balloon, but some believe that the belated diagnosis was a government cover-up. From an alien dog costume contest to a themed 5k, this festival encapsulates the weirdness and wonder we associate with extraterrestrial life.

, Crested Butte, CO

July 11-12

From to trail talks about local folklore, this festival celebrates peak summer color in the wildflower capital of Colorado. Other activities include birding, culinary classes, art workshops, and garden tours.

Looe Key Sanctuary, FL

July, 13

You鈥檒l need a good pair of goggles to attend this festival: The whole thing is underwater. Event organizers hold the annual celebration at , about 6 miles off the coast of Big Pine Key. Hundreds of divers and snorkelers explore the reef while listening to music broadcast through underwater speakers. raise awareness about reef conservation and responsible diving. The playlist features ocean-themed songs ranging from Jimmy Buffett to The Little Mermaid.

聽Crystal Falls, MI

August 1-2

The Armillaria gallica mushroom, which can grow up to the size of , is native to the Upper Michigan Peninsula. In celebration of its grandeur, the city of Crystal Falls hosts an annual weekend bash. Expect fungi-forward food, foraging outings, a parade, and more.

, Ninilchik, AK

August 1-3

This funky fest celebrates all the best hallmarks of summer in Alaska: good camping, local music, fresh salmon, and endless sunshine. Spend the weekend filling up on good tunes and salmon-forward dishes. Then, snag a campsite on-site or at the nearby Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds Campground.

, Telluride, CO

August 13-17

This mushroom festival is as much of a celebration of fungus as it is of creative expression. Join a culinary foraging expedition, sit in on a keynote presentation like, and then don your favorite fungus-themed costumes for the festival’s marquee mushroom parade.

, Prairie du Sac, WI

August 29-30

Cow chips鈥攊.e., discs of dried cow poop鈥攚ere a great source of fuel for 19th-century travelers on the Great Plains. Today, midwesterners celebrate the power of the cow chip with a friendly throwing competition. Each contestant receives two chips to throw. Gloves are not allowed. However, you can lick your fingers before throwing to getting a better grip on your chip. Whoever throws their chip the farthest wins.

, Santa Fe, NM

August 29

Consider this Burning Man鈥檚 little cousin. Zozobra, which translates to 鈥渁nxiety or distress,” is a 50-foot effigy meant to symbolize the struggles of life. At this festival, participants stuff Zozobra with notes detailing their sorrows and worries. Then, the larger-than-life figure is set ablaze to symbolize renewal and release. Watch the burning, then dance your worries away amid live music.

聽Albany, OH

September 12-14

A relative of the papaya, pawpaw treesare native to Ohio, and their fruit tastes like a cross between a banana and a mango. It’s a beloved local staple鈥攁nd people go all out each fall to celebrate it. Pawpaw Fest features a pawpaw growers’ competition, a pawpaw beer tasting, and a pawpaw-eating contest. And on Saturday morning, you can join cyclists for a group ride among the trees in Zaleski State Forest.

Virginia City, Nevada

October 4

What started as a political protest in Virginia City, Nevada, is now an annual tradition鈥攁nd the only designated outhouse-racing event in the U.S. Participants spend weeks building their own homemade outhouses and then race the contraptions down the historic C Street. Each outhouse must contain a toilet seat and a roll of toilet paper鈥攁nd be fully operational.

, Goffstown, NH

October 18-19

Forget about James and the Giant Peach鈥攖his competition requires athletes to sail down the Piscataquog River in a giant Jack-o-lantern. If you’re not confident in your ability to pilot a pumpkin, consider spectating the race鈥攐r attending the giant pumpkin weigh-off. In past years, the winning gourd has often topped 2,000 pounds.

, Manitou Springs, CO

October, 25

To honor Emma Crawford’s dying wish, her partner carried her coffin to the top of Red Mountain to lay her to the rest. Almost thirty years later, a storm struck the area鈥攁nd sent Emma鈥檚 coffin racing down the mountain. Since 1995, the town has honored Emma鈥檚 memory through their very own coffin race (which anyone can enter), accompanied by spooky festivities.

: Keokuk, IA

September 26-28

We heard this festival rocks. It features geode cracking, treasure hunts, fossils, and more. Professionals guide geode hunts through areas that are normally off limits to the general public, making this a unique opportunity for rock hounds. It’s also a perfect adventure weekend for your kiddo鈥攐r that one friend who’s really into crystals.

The post 14 Wacky Outdoor Festivals We’re Already Booking Our Tickets For appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Over the last three decades, I鈥檝e driven all across the country, sometimes flying in and renting a car, more often just driving my Roadtrek camper van from my Indiana home. During those road trips, I’ve also visited every national park in the contiguous U.S. Whenever I鈥檓 home too long or the news gets too dire, I start to feel that itch to hit the open road.

Before planning any road trip, I recommend buying a Rand McNally road atlas. It will help you navigate when you no longer have cell service. Just like you shouldn鈥檛 leave your route to Google Maps, you shouldn鈥檛 leave your summer road trip playlist to Spotify. I try to at least pick a few songs or artists, or even an audiobook, connected to my destination. Case in point: I can鈥檛 drive through Texas without listening to hometown heroes the Old 97鈥檚 or the Vandoliers. You can practically smell bluebonnets and the dregs of a discarded Lone Star beer bottle with every song.

When compiling this list, I attempted to hit as many geographical regions of the the U.S. as possible, but focused most of the attention on northern or higher elevation areas where the summer heat may not be as brutal.聽 I also chose these road trips based on their proximity to adventure. And with a few exceptions, I鈥檝e personally roadtripped through each of these destinations myself.

Remember, when things go wrong on the road, as they inevitably will, just tell yourself that it鈥檚 just going to make for a great story. It always does for me.

Here are my top recommendations for the best summer road trips in the U.S.

Communing With Nature: Redwoods to Crater Lake

Distance: 456 miles
Potential adventures: Hiking, photography, road cycling
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

A couple of years ago, I did a version of this road trip in Winnebago鈥檚 prototype electric RV, and it was incredible. Perhaps my biggest regret was that I spent the entire article talking about the RV and not the scenery I was experiencing.

Start in , where the smell of saltwater, mountain air, and redwood trees will linger in your nose and remain in your memories forever. Similar to hiking its sister park Sequoia, walking through millennia-old redwood groves inspires an almost religious connection to the聽natural world. The park offers more than 200 miles of trails for every skill level鈥攆rom experienced hikers gaining 3,000 feet of elevation to those who need accessible, paved or gravel paths.

From there, take CA 299 east to , which still bears scars from the Carr Fire in 2018. When I visited, some life had returned to the hillside, but it remained a sobering reminder . Despite this, there was plenty of outdoor adventure to be had, such as hiking or biking dozens of miles of trails, checking out multiple gorgeous waterfalls, or swimming in the eponymous lake.

Taking CA 44 further east to , you鈥檒l see even more charred trees, reminders of the that damaged nearly 70 percent of the park. Given its elevation (more than 10,000 feet at its highest), Lassen Volcanic finds itself buried underneath snow for most of the year. Late July through September is the perfect time to visit, when most of the trails can be hiked without snowshoes. The half-mile Sulphur Works and 2.7-mile Bumpass Hell trails with their steam vents, bubbling pools, and mud pots echo Yellowstone鈥檚 volcanic features.

Next, head north to , which encompasses Mt. Shasta, California鈥檚 fifth-largest peak. I only spent an afternoon on the trails there, and were I to do it over again, I would have spent multiple days exploring the trails through seemingly endless fir and pine forests. The road between Mt. Shasta鈥攚hich is actually a stratovolcano鈥攁nd Crater Lake is known as the , with other highlights including Burney Mountain and Medicine Lake Volcano. This is yet another gorgeous road, so take your time heading further north to Crater Lake National Park.

Whenever I think of the color blue, I see Crater Lake鈥檚 impossibly perfect waters聽in my mind. I hiked up the short, but steep Watchman Peak Trail, to gaze upon the entirety of namesake attraction.

The park itself isn鈥檛 massive, so visitors can knock out the highlights in a day or two. Be sure to drive or, even better, bike the length of the 33-mile Rim Road with its 30 scenic vistas. The road does have some elevation changes, so be ready to climb or bring an e-bike.

If you love fly fishing, continue southwest to Grants Pass, located on the world-famous Rogue River. I鈥檇 recommend visiting in late summer between August and September when the summer steelhead run is in full swing.

(Great) Lake Life: Indiana Dunes to Apostle Islands

Miles: 971
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, paddling
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

As a native Midwesterner, I鈥檝e long claimed that Michigan and Wisconsin are the two most-underrated states in the nation for outdoor adventure. Over the years, I鈥檝e traveled extensively within the area, hiking and biking nearly endless rolling hills covered in thick birch, pine, and oak forests. I鈥檝e paddled the Great Lakes and fly-fished some of the world’s most-renowned trout rivers. Visitors can find thousands of miles of gorgeous shoreline, much of which they may have all to themselves.

This road trip starts at Indiana Dunes National Park, which offers more than 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Most visitors prefer to lounge on the beach, but Indiana Dunes also boasts a staggering amount of biodiverse ecosystems in a relatively small, 15,000-acre footprint. More than 1,000 wildly different plant species essentially live side-by-side, including a rare ethereal white plant called the ghost pipe and multiple species of carnivorous plants.

Crossing north into Michigan, fly fishers can stop in either Grand Rapids, to hopefully catch smallies and pike, or head further north to the famous Pere Marquette River to fish for wild brook and rainbow trout. (Visit or for the latest river conditions and news on what鈥檚 currently hatching.) You鈥檒l find plenty of free or low-cost spots to camp along the Pere Marquette in the (I鈥檇 suggest Claybanks Campground if you鈥檙e wading and Sulak Campground if you鈥檙e in a boat), though you may want to spring for a hotel in Grand Rapids to聽enjoy the multitude of restaurants and bars after you get off the river.

Driving further north to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores, the road hugs Lake Michigan to the west and later, after crossing Mackinac Bridge, Lake Superior to the north. They鈥檙e both stunning bodies of water, but try to keep your eyes on the highway. Driving across Mackinac Bridge on a windy day requires nerves of steel. (I swear the bridge was swinging the last time I crossed it.) Both national lakeshores have some great hiking, but the most incredible scenery is best seen via the water. Bringing or renting a sea kayak for an afternoon is a must.

From Pictured Rocks, head west. The most fun I鈥檝e ever had on a mountain bike was in , thanks to more than 50 miles of fun wooden features and flowy singletrack. Copper Harbor is also the entryway to , although you鈥檒l have to ditch your vehicle for a ferry to get there. I鈥檇 recommend at least overnighting on the island and staying even longer, if you鈥檙e able.

This itinerary ends at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, another spot where getting on the water is a must. Paddlers can even camp on several of the islands. Mountain bikers should definitely check out the 17 miles of singletrack at . Nearby, Big Top Chautauqua brings in artists like Iron and Wine and Old Crow Medicine Show to perform under a massive circus tent. (Steve Earle rocked out during my most recent visit.)

The Ultimate Outdoor Paradise: Glacier National Park to Stanley, Idaho

Miles: 794
Potential activities: Hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fly fishing
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

You could take the entire summer traversing this route and still barely scratch the surface of what this nearly 800-mile slice of paradise from Glacier National Park to Stanley, Idaho, offers. No matter what outdoor activity you love, you鈥檒l find it here.

Yellowstone or Glacier will get busy during the summer high season, so enter the parks early or later in the day, when the bulk of the crowds have dissipated. Start in Glacier, which, for me at least, may be the most beautiful place in the world. Spend a morning kayaking Lake McDonald; if you鈥檙e lucky, the weather will allow an almost glass-like reflection on the blue water that鈥檚 ideal for frame-worthy photos.

Going to the Sun Road reopens by July each year. Take it to the lesser-traveled east side of the park for some of the best hiking opportunities. Finish your Glacier excursion with a fly fishing trip down the middle fork of the Flathead River, one of the best鈥� and most picturesque鈥攕pots in the country for cutthroats and rainbows.

Heading south, Helena is a nice stopover between Glacier and Yellowstone, offering some pretty good mountain biking in its own right. Helena may have started out as a gold town, but it鈥檚 now a Silver-Level IMBA Ride Center, with more than 75 miles of trails spread around town.

Driving further south, get into Yellowstone early in the morning to see Grand Prismatic Spring boil and Old Faithful erupt, then hit the road again. Your best shot at seeing a grizzly or wolf is heading to Lamar Valley. Plenty of cars will be parked alongside the road with people looking into the hills with spotting scopes. If crowds clog the trails, Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forests have lots of great hikes with practically no one else around.

Further south is on one of the most breathtaking roads in America, the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, and Grand Teton may be one of the most photogenic mountains in the world. in has free dispersed campsites overlooking the namesake mountains. It鈥檚 the perfect place to unwind after a day on the trails and enjoy a cocktail or three.

After spending a day or two in and out of the park, head west, crossing into Idaho. If you鈥檙e fascinated by Yellowstone鈥檚 geology, then spend a couple of hours exploring End the road trip in . It鈥檚 a cool, under-the-radar town that puts you in the middle of all the surrounding outdoor action. Plan to spend two or three days there, with at least one earmarked for fly fishing the Salmon River. I recommend hiring a guide with , who helped me hook into tons of rainbow-cutthroat hybrids.

Keep in mind: This is grizzly country, so have bear spray ready and make a lot of noise as you walk.

Seeing Colors: South Dakota鈥檚 Badlands to Black Hills

Miles: 103 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, photography, trail riding
Perfect audiobook:

I didn鈥檛 know what to expect the first time I rolled through South Dakota in 2020, but after spending a couple of weeks exploring it and its sibling state to the north, I drove聽away impressed. So much so I鈥檝e been back multiple times in the years since.

Start in Badlands National Park, preferably during sunrise or sunset. Watch how the changing light illuminates and reflects on the various colors of layered sandstone. Driving the loop road through the park takes around two hours with stops at the overlooks, each giving a unique and often expansive view of the rock formations. If you鈥檙e planning to hike, dedicate two days to explore the park. During summer, sunscreen and a shady hat are a must for the Badlands, where you won鈥檛 find too many trees on the trails.

From the Badlands, head west. Unless you鈥檙e an amateur spelunker or otherwise fascinated with caves, dedicate half a day to , springing for one of the cave tours. I recommend the basic 75-minute tour, which covers the natural highlights and boxwork formations inside the cave, as well as the historical significance of the cave to the Lakota people. Be sure to get your tickets as early as possible, as they often sell out during the summer high season.

After the tour, head toward neighboring . This gorgeous, well-maintained park is on par with many national parks, offering lots of great hiking and biking options. Beginning in Deadwood, the 109-mile runs through the heart of Custer State Park, terminating in Edgemont, passing over more than 100 converted railroad trestles and through 4 tunnels. If you didn鈥檛 bring a bike, the park offers several heart-racing hiking trails (both metaphorically and literally). Both Cathedral Spires and Black Elk Peak offer beautiful views and opportunities to hop into the refreshing Sylvan Lake.

Throughout its 1.2 million acres, offers more than 450 miles of hiking trails, a bit of singletrack in Spearfish, and fun times swimming or paddling in the lakes and reservoirs. The scenery surrounding the roads is beautiful, but the tarmac can get a bit twisty; there鈥檚 a reason why thousands of bikers flock to Sturgis each year.

If you decide to visit Mount Rushmore, be sure to earmark time for the as well. The two manmade monoliths are great contrasts to one another, allowing you and your traveling companions to discuss the great and not-so-great aspects of our nation鈥檚 history.

I listened to Dee Brown鈥檚 sobering 鈥淏ury My Heart at Wounded Knee鈥� while driving through the state. Hearing the atrocities that occurred on these grounds gave me a much deeper understanding of both the landscape and the people who lived there years ago.

Fly High: Pisgah National Forest to Hot Springs, North Carolina

Miles: 97 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, gravel, road, and mountain biking
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

This trip traversing North Carolina鈥檚 most scenic national forests and perhaps the best trout water east of the Mississippi is a must for every adventurer with a bike and a fly rod.

Start in , which boasts some of the most challenging and fun singletrack you鈥檒l find east of the Mississippi. Tucked away in the seemingly endless pine forests, trails can be gnarly and pretty technical, but always fun. I have roughly the same number of smiles and scars to remember from years of riding there. Be sure to earmark at least a day for the fast and flowy DuPont State Forest trails nearby.

Head southwest to , which got hit hard by Hurricane Helene last fall, but has made a remarkable comeback in the months since. When I was here in the spring, ongoing highway repairs heading in and out of Haywood slowed traffic to a crawl in places. Try to time your travel to early in the morning or at night in order to avoid the traffic jams.

Maggie Valley and the surrounding towns are filled with mom-and-pop campgrounds and motels that need visitors鈥� cash to pay for all the repairs. What do they offer in return? Trout, and lots of them. (Be sure to , as the Carolina game wardens do not mess around.) The Pigeon River and both Jonathan and Richland Creeks get stocked by the state of North Carolina in the spring, and the trout are still hitting mop flies and woolie buggers in the summer. ( can give you the current intel.)

In nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cataloochee Creek flows through a picturesque valley and is filled with skittish wild brookies. Catching one of these native little fish felt as momentous as catching dozens the day before on the Pigeon.

From there, head north on NC 209 to , another spot recovering from last year鈥檚 hurricane. My cycling team held our training camp in this tiny Tarheel town for more than a decade, so I can assure you both the road and gravel riding here are amazing. The twisty mountain roads surrounding the town will make you earn the super-fun descents. The gravel climb up 4,600-foot Max Patch is challenging, but doable for most riders; beware the backside descent, which can be treacherous in places. Hot Springs is a major Appalachian Trail hub, with lots of other great hiking options nearby. As a bonus, the French Broad River runs through Hot Springs, so after you get back from your epic ride, you can unwind in the cool water while getting your line wet.

I Cannot Tell a Lie; I love Washington State: North Cascades to Olympic

Miles: 342 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, sea kayaking, wildlife viewing, road cycling
Perfect audiobook:

Begin your drive at North Cascades National Park. Due to its northern location, it鈥檚 not as heavily traveled as the two other national parks in the state, and locals rightfully view it and the surrounding national forest as their backyard. Nearly every SUV you see will be loaded with kayaks or mountain bikes on top.

My favorite day-hike in the park, the Cascade Pass Trail, winds upward through fir and cedar forest to views of multiple peaks and glaciers. Neighboring Ross Lake National Recreational Area is a perfect spot for casual paddling and swimming. If you have at least three days for a backcountry adventure, visit Desolation Peak in the northeast corner of the park, where famed beat writer Jack Kerouac served as a fire lookout in 1956.

Leaving North Cascades, keep an eye out for some famous fly-fishing rivers during the remainder of the road trip. You may come across the Yakima River, known for salmon and trout, and the Skagit and Hoh Rivers, that offer great steelhead fishing. The should help you find access points and fly shops along the way.

Nearly all the roads in have opened by early July. Road cyclists flock to the park to challenge themselves on the steep upward roads. Visitors will find tons of incredible hiking options throughout the park, with a wide variety of mileage and difficulty levels. If you have time after leaving the park, detour down to , where one of the most violent volcanic eruptions in U.S. history occurred in 1980.

From Mout Rainier, head northwest. The problem with is there鈥檚 almost too much to do. Spanning nearly a million acres, visitors can be easily聽overwhelmed with the number of hiking options. Hurricane Ridge and Hoh Rain Forest are two of the more popular recreation areas, but that often leads to congestion and lack of parking. Queets and Quinault Rain Forests have a similar feel to Hoh, but far fewer visitors. If you鈥檙e looking for a backcountry adventure, Sol Duc Valley and Deer Park are great jumping-off points.

国产吃瓜黑料 Powered by Lobster: White Mountains to Hidden Maine Ponds

Miles: 384 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, kayaking, stargazing, eating lobster
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

Full of beech and maple forests, gorgeous hillsides, and mountain-fed lakes, is a terrific starting point for this New Hampshire to Maine road trip. Two of the shortest trails have some of the best views; a 1.5-mile hike will take you to New Hampshire鈥檚 tallest waterfall, Arethusa Falls, while a somewhat steep 3-mile hike leads you to Lonesome Lake, which lives up to its name.

From there, head northeast to Acadia National Park. Start your day early with a drive up Cadillac Summit Road to catch the sunrise. This has become such a popular activity over the years that a $6 parking pass is required during the high season. You may second-guess yourself when your alarm goes off at 3:30 am, but the view is worth it. If you get there pretty early, be sure to bring a headlamp to keep from tripping over a rock or going over a ledge.

Acadia has 45 miles of gravel carriage roads perfect for cycling and another 158 miles of hiking trails. Several outfitters rent bikes if you don鈥檛 bring your own. For 1.5 hours before and after low tide, you can walk about a mile-long sand bar from Bar Harbor to Bar Island. This is one of the more popular activities in the park, and you鈥檒l likely be surrounded by other walkers. When both the weather and sea are cooperating, kayak around Bar Island and the bits of land just off the coast of Bar Harbor. Be sure to fuel your activities with plenty of fresh blueberries and lobster, which you can find nearly everywhere you go.

If Acadia feels too crowded, try spending a day or two in . The bay-front park has around 20 trails, nearly all of which are shorter thant two miles.

Spicer Pond, about 45 minutes west of Portland, is filled with lots of fun-sized native brookies. When you think of stereotypical Maine wilderness, this relatively tiny body of water is likely what you see in your mind. You鈥檙e almost guaranteed to have the pond, or a neighboring one just like it, to yourself. If you need a guide, Jake Ratcliff with can help you out.

___________________________________________________
Robert Annis, a frequent 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor, spends more time on the road than the average long-haul trucker. When not behind the wheel of his beloved Roadtrek camper van singing along to Son Volt鈥檚 classic Trace album, he can be found either hip-deep in the closest trout stream or your town鈥檚 cheapest dive bar.

The post The Best Road Trips to Take This Summer Across the U.S. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

国产吃瓜黑料 editors know the importance of taking a break any time of the year, but summer trips hit different. Where are we traveling this summer? Some of us have plans to escape the heat waves in U.S. for winter in Cape Town, South Africa, which has no shortage of outdoor thrills within its city limits. Another editor is heading to one of Washington state鈥檚 most remote and quirky towns to cool off on alpine-lake trails. While others are taking a runcation through Chamonix鈥檚 glacier-dotted mountains, and exploring a sci-fi-themed desert outpost in Utah.

Haven鈥檛 dialed in your summer vacation yet? With our always-online days, it鈥檚 more important than ever to put your phone in airplane mode and get a dose of nature’s healing vibes. Even if it鈥檚 just for a few hours while you visit your closest national park (pro-tip: visit natural parks with swimming holes). As always, the most important thing is to simply get outside.

Here are the trips we鈥檝e booked.

Chamonix, France聽

When I learned I鈥檇 be shipping off to Paris on assignment in late July鈥攁nd that I鈥檇 have a few extra days to myself once the work was done鈥擨 immediately started making plans to visit Chamonix, which lies聽tucked amid glacier-encrusted peaks and serrated ridgelines in the heart of the French Alps. I鈥檇 always known Cham was a global climbing epicenter, but it wasn鈥檛 until last year that I learned it was a trail-running paradise, too. I was getting back into running at the time and stumbled upon about some of the best trails in the area. Now, I鈥檓 training for a 40-miler in Telluride this summer, and I can鈥檛 imagine a better place to sneak in some last-minute training. On the list: the Petits Balcons trails (I hear there鈥檚 a good ice cream shop along the way), and sections of the iconic Tour de Mont Blanc.

鈥擟orey Buhay, 国产吃瓜黑料 interim managing editor

Exploring Around Utah聽

My home state of Utah never fails to amaze me. There are new destinations, trails, and campsites I鈥檓 constantly adding to my list and checking out for the first time. We鈥檝e been ticking off a number of staycations, including finally visiting the new sci-fi themed OutpostX resort in the sagebrush country of Beryl, Utah.

Loosely inspired by Star Wars films, OutpostX lets guests travel endlessly around the desert landscape by sand cruiser (kind of like the landspeeders in the film, except they don鈥檛 hover or go fast). Beyond this headline amenity, we got to marvel at installation art plopped down in the middle of a dried lakebed, stay in a bohemian-styled Viking Tent, and watch the sunset from an聽onsite hot spring.

On the same trip, I also fulfilled a long-held dream of visiting , an aspen clonal colony that鈥檚 considered the world鈥檚 largest living organism. Each tree in this 9,000-year-old aspen grove is genetically identical and connected by a massive root system. We camped amid Pando and mountain biked around nearby Fish Lake.

Later this summer, we鈥檒l be spending a couple nights with friends up at Castle Peak Yurt in the Uinta Mountains. We鈥檒l be SUPing at nearby high-alpine lakes, where I plan to attempt the SUP jumprope challenge, then unwind聽in the yurt鈥檚 cedar sauna.

鈥擬aya Silver, Climbing editor-in-chief

Cape Town, South Africa聽

This summer I鈥檓 headed to Cape Town where it will be winter. I know escaping summer for winter sounds strange, but there will be fewer crowds and milder weather (and no heat waves). And I scored an incredible stay so I can visit friends. Years ago, I was in South Africa on safari, but this is my first visit to its coastal capital where there鈥檚 no shortage of outdoor thrills within the city limits.

From Cape Town鈥檚 defining Table Mountain which dominates the skyline, to the two oceans that meet here, the Atlantic and the Indian, dramatic nature emerges in every direction. While this is a place known for shark diving, I鈥檇 rather do a mellow dive in Cape Town鈥檚 kelp forest, the dreamy undersea world where My Octopus Teacher was filmed. I plan to drive one of the most jaw-dropping coastal roads in the world, Chapman’s Peak, which is a bucket list for many cyclists to ride as well.

At the , I鈥檒l try to spot an ostrich by the sea. And no trip to Cape Town is complete without seeing African penguins at Boulders and hiking up Table Mountain. While the sun sets here now before 6 pm, that doesn鈥檛 seem so bad if I can watch it from the top of Lion’s Head Peak, taking in the incredible view of the dazzling coast below.

鈥� Kathleen Rellihan, 国产吃瓜黑料 travel and culture senior editor

Keystone, Colorado

Back in the mid-eighties, my father-in-law Tim bought a studio unit in one of the then-new condominium buildings at Colorado鈥檚 Keystone Resort. Nearly forty years later, the 500-square-foot space has become a godsend for my wife, my daughter, and me. It鈥檚 our sanctuary from the Mad Max-style driving chaos that occurs on Colorado鈥檚 Interstate 70 on most afternoons. We鈥檙e lucky鈥攚e don鈥檛 have to drive to and from Summit County every day, and can instead sleep overnight and wait for mellow periods to do our commute.

Ski trips to the Keystone condo are a breeze in the winter, but the place is even more magical in the summer. I鈥檒l admit, the condo has dulled my old desires for roughing it-style backcountry adventures. And no, a trip up to Keystone is hardly exotic or adventuresome. But traveling there with a young child takes a lot of the headache and stress out of a vacation. The hiking and biking trails start right out the back. The blue-green water of the Snake River is just a five-minute walk down the path. And yeah, there鈥檚 a pool and a hot tub. My wife has fond memories of family outings to the condo, and our five-year-old daughter is already making her own. This summer we are planning on a two-week trip to the condo in late July. I can鈥檛 wait for the trip to arrive.

鈥� Fred Dreier, 国产吃瓜黑料 articles editor

Nantucket, Massachusetts

This summer, I鈥檓 swapping my usual multi-day backpacking grind for something a little softer: a first-time trip to Nantucket (one of 国产吃瓜黑料‘s Best Summer Weekend Trips for 2025). I鈥檒l be staying on the west end where I plan to spend slow mornings biking the island鈥檚 35+ miles of paved paths, walking into town for a decaf coffee, and down to the beach with a towel slung over my shoulder. I鈥檓 hoping for daily ocean swims (maybe watching the surfers at Miacomet) and afternoons spent fishing.

There鈥檚 no summit to reach here, and that鈥檚 exactly the point. Lately, I鈥檝e been reminding myself that getting outside doesn鈥檛 have to mean high mileage goals or big objectives. Sometimes it just means following the coastline on two wheels, letting my phone battery go dead, and watching the sunset while eating oysters in the sand. I鈥檒l always love the mountains (and will spend as many summer weekends in them as possible), but this trip, I鈥檓 chasing a different kind of reset鈥攁nd letting Nantucket show me how good the mellow can be.

鈥� Sierra Shafer, 国产吃瓜黑料 editorial director, Lifestyle

Chanhassen, Minnesota

I鈥檓 planning to visit Paisley Park, located in Chanhassen, Minnesota, with my twin sister. While we鈥檙e聽 both fans of Prince, she is a superfan. We鈥檝e (read: she鈥檚) always wanted to check out his massive home and studio which is nearly 65,000 square feet and rests on about nine acres of land. I鈥檓 excited to explore his 鈥渃reative sanctuary.鈥� I鈥檝e also never been to Minnesota before, and I鈥檓 more than ready to explore a new state that feels totally foreign to me.

We also want to check out in Saint Paul. I’m the outdoorsy twin, so this one is for me. The park is about a 30-minute-ish drive from Prince鈥檚 estate. There鈥檚 a scenic waterfall tucked away on the trails. The last waterfall I saw was near a cenote in Mexico in 2016. Before that, sometime in the early 2000s, I swam in a lagoon under a massive waterfall in Cura莽ao. I鈥檇 say I鈥檓 due for another waterfall.

Since we plan on renting a car, I鈥檓 more than happy to drive two hours south of Chanhassen to visit the Spam Museum. I鈥檝e never eaten Spam because the look of it repulses me, but I need to know why it鈥檚 so loved. Plus, I want to see how it鈥檚 made. Maybe, I鈥檒l taste some. But probably not.

鈥� Ayana Underwood, 国产吃瓜黑料 senior health editor

Stehekin, Washington

I鈥檒l be heading to one of Washington State鈥檚 most remote towns: Stehekin. Nestled in the heart of the North Cascades, this mountain community is full of retired hippies, magic makers, and wanderers. With a permanent population of barely a 100 residents, there are no roads in, so outsiders (like me) must take the ferry to reach town. I鈥檒l first drive to Fields Point Landing in Chelan, then ferry across the lake to the middle of Stehekin where I鈥檒l begin my trek to Purple Point Campground where I鈥檒l camp.

On my first day, I鈥檒 explore all the quirky things that make Stehekin unique. On day two, I鈥檒l climb up McGregor Mountain, an iconic spot that looms over the valley. It鈥檚 8-miles to the top, but I鈥檒l stop at the 7-mile mark where the trail ends since I have zero experience in rock climbing to make the summit.

Day three I鈥檒l hike Purple Creek Trail near the campground. It reaches out to just about 10 miles, but I鈥檒l stop at the 8-mile mark at Purple Pass. I鈥檒l bed down for the night and make the trek back the next day. Once back from my second day hike, I鈥檒l pack up my gear, grab a beer with friends, and hit the road back to Spokane.

鈥� Emilee Coblentz, 国产吃瓜黑料 packages editor

Southern Oregon

While my big adventure in Japan is coming this fall, summer will find me dipping in Oregon鈥檚 enchanting rivers which are, truthfully, a major reason why I moved here.

, a campground and farm in Cave Junction, has become an annual jaunt, and for good reason. With 60 campsites spread over 100 acres along the Illinois River, the land is the ultimate spot for a river rat respite (it’s also the top-rated in Oregon). Each year, Cedar Bloom plays host to the , but the opportunity to spend a few nights on this stretch of land sans thousands of other people is pretty special. Private beaches and swimming holes abound鈥攁nd not to get all woo-woo, but the energy is awesome.

Whether on the drive there or back (or both), I鈥檒l be pulling off I-5 to swim in the Umpqua, McKenzie, and Willamette Rivers. An explorer鈥檚 mindset is key here: pull up a map, trace the tributaries, keep your eyes open, and expect to find some of the most unreal swimming holes you鈥檝e ever seen or swam.

鈥� Calin Van Paris, Yoga Journal editor

Need more inspiration to plan your next summer adventure? Check out our picks for the best long summer weekend trips for 2025.

The post Where 国产吃瓜黑料 Editors Are Traveling This Summer appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Growing up in suburban North Atlanta, the only time I ever heard about the solstice was during the astronomy segment of science class. It wasn鈥檛 until I moved out West that I learned it鈥檚 basically the unofficial national holiday of the outdoors.

鈥淲hat are you doing for the solstice?鈥� a friend asked me the first year I lived in Colorado.

鈥淲hat?鈥� I asked.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the longest day of the year,鈥� they said, as if that were obvious. 鈥淲hat are you doing to celebrate?鈥�

Celebrating the solstice (which falls on June 20 this year) had never occurred to me before. It probably didn鈥檛 help that I grew up in a pretty conservative household where pagan celebrations were largely frowned upon. And summer solstice is basically as pagan as it gets. In ancient times (circa 5,000 years ago, in places ranging from Egypt to Indigenous North America to the English Isles) the summer solstice was an occasion for late-night revelry and debauchery. Dancing around campfires, performing magic, visiting henges, worshipping ancient gods鈥攁ll that jazz. So, it surprised me to learn that mountain town communities across the West have not only embraced the ancient tradition, but reimagined it as a modern celebration of nature, community, and outdoor recreation.

The Connection Between the Solstice and Magic聽

I鈥檒l take any excuse to play outside, but that鈥檚 not the only reason I love the summer solstice. In ancient times, magic was during midsummer. Some cultures believed the night of the solstice鈥攕ometimes called Midsummer鈥檚 Eve鈥攚as the moment when the human realm and spiritual realm collided. Fairies and sprites could reach across the thin membrane between worlds, leaving gifts, sharing secrets, or tugging human heroes from one universe to the other. You could end up meeting a god, going on a quest, or falling into a world of possibilities beyond your imagination.

It鈥檚 not hard to see where ancient people got those ideas. In June in the Northern Rockies, light lingers in the sky until 9:00 PM. Time seems to slow, and you feel as if you鈥檙e in limbo鈥攁s if the twilight will last forever, and the night will never come. In this narrow window, you feel like anything could happen. The ancient rhythms of nature seem to pound louder in your ears. You know magic doesn鈥檛 exist, but for a moment, you almost believe it could.

With so much uncertainty and heaviness in the world, we could all use a little bit of that sparkle鈥攖hat gorgeous, lion-hearted, invincible belief that there鈥檚 another world, another future out there just beyond our fingertips. Even if we only believe it for a day. So, this year, I鈥檓 going out of my way to celebrate the solstice. Maybe I鈥檒l capture a little bit of that magic. Maybe I won鈥檛. Either way, it鈥檒l be worth the time spent outside.

8 Ways to Celebrate the 2025 Solstice聽

There are tons of ways to go about celebrating the solstice. Vikings, for example, used the extra daylight to sneak in a longer pillage sesh. Earlier peoples might have built a circle of stones or leapt over a bonfire. remains an annual tradition in Germany, Finland, Spain, and a number of other countries. Fires are said to ward off evil spirits, bolster the sun鈥檚 power ahead of the harvest season, and represent defeat over darkness. If you want to get ceremonial, go for it. But if your goal is just to get outside and make the most of the sunshine, here are eight other ways to spend your solstice.

1. Plan an epic linkup. In Boulder, Colorado, where I live, climbers spend all year waiting for long summer days. Come June, the sun sets late鈥攚hich means there鈥檚 finally enough time to drive to the cliff and get a few pitches in after work. My favorite way to celebrate is with a linkup鈥攖agging a handful of classic climbs in Eldorado Canyon State Park, linking multiple , or staging an all-day that doesn鈥檛 end until the last traces of sun are gone from the sky.
2. Go for a sunset run. Long summer days mean you can get in a long run after work without having to worry about running in the dark鈥攁 goddamn blessing if you feel nervous running at night (or just hate jogging with a headlamp). This year, I鈥檒l be celebrating the solstice with an evening run, albeit with a slight twist: It鈥檚 an uphill beer mile in the mountains with a few of my craziest friends.
3. Join an impromptu jam sesh. A number of outdoorsy towns boast regular drum circles or similar musical communities that plan something special around solstice time. Colorado鈥檚 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, for example, is known for its big-name concerts, but the solstice brings a different kind of show. At dawn, drummers and musicians gather on the steps of the amphitheatre and greet the earliest sunrise of the year with a grassroots jam session.
4. Go dancing. If you鈥檝e ever considered dabbling in Paganism, summer solstice is your time. While many cities offer Friday-night dances (salsa, country swing, and Lindy hop are among the most popular), some towns host slightly more woo-woo offerings for the solstice. See if you can find an outdoor ecstatic dance or silent disco near you. Or, plan your own: head to the park with a couple of buddies and groove to your favorite tunes until dark.
5. Summit something. In mountain towns, trail runners and hikers often take advantage of the solstice to knock out mega objectives that wouldn鈥檛 be possible with fewer daylight hours. But the size of the objective doesn鈥檛 really matter: standing on top of anything, even your local hill, is an incredible way to celebrate playing outside and to kick off summer with a triumph.
6. Plan a costumed bike ride. Some ancient peoples would celebrate solstice by donning special robes for ceremonies. The modern version: Set a theme for a costumed bike ride and do a lap around town with your friends. Bring lights, play music, and end the ride at your favorite brewery, pub, or BBQ spot.
7. Jump in a creek. Long days mean plenty of sunlight to bask in. Pack a picnic lunch to your local creek or lakeshore, go for a swim, and air-dry in the warm June rays. If you have a stand-up paddleboard or kayak, watching the sun set from the middle of a lake is another must-do.
8. Go camping. My favorite way to celebrate long summer days is to pitch a tent鈥攊t doesn鈥檛 matter where. Sleep under the stars at your local state park, snag a site on forest service land, or set up shop in your backyard. Stay up late, and if local regulations permit, build a campfire. It鈥檚 the perfect way to kick off a classic American summer and nod to all at the same time. And who knows? Maybe, at that moment when worlds collide, you鈥檒l experience a little solstice magic for yourself .

The post Outdoorspeople Are Obsessed With the Summer Solstice. This is Why. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

According to Shakespeare, there are lessons and stories everywhere in nature鈥攐r, as he puts it, books in the running brooks, tongues in trees, and sermons in stones. I鈥檓 down with that idea. But in case the running brooks aren鈥檛 meeting your educational needs this summer, here are some suggestions for actual books to tuck into your backpack. (You can also look for more top picks on my holiday book list and last summer’s book list.)

Water Borne, by Dan Rubinstein

The tale of an epic wilderness voyage to鈥� New York City?! Rubinstein is a longtime outdoors journalist and avid stand-up paddleboarder, and in 2023 he set out to paddleboard from his home in Ottawa on a 1,200-mile loop via Montreal, New York City, and Toronto. His trip ends up being a fascinating tour through the varied waterways and communities of the Great Lakes region, a deep dive (sorry) into the health-promoting powers of being in and around water鈥攁nd also just an enjoyable and often funny read about a quirky and impressive trip.

Pushing the River, by Frank Bures

My own preferred mode of paddling is in a canoe, and Bures鈥檚 book adds to the surprisingly sparse ranks of canoeing literature. (Don鈥檛 @ me, I know there are some great canoeing books out there鈥攆rom Thoreau to Roy MacGregor to Adam Shoalts鈥攂ut not as many as the world deserves.) The central part of this story collection is a historical account of the 450-mile Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby, but for me the most engaging stories are Bures鈥檚 own adventures and the reflections they inspire: a voyage down the Mississippi from Minneapolis to his hometown, Winona; an unexpected dunk in hypothermic waters. Disclosure: I wrote the intro to this one.

How to Fall in Love with Questions, by Elizabeth Weingarten

In times of upheaval, we get a lot of books about how to handle uncertainty鈥攁nd, in many cases, how to embrace uncertainty. Weingarten, a journalist and behavioral scientist, thinks this advice is too pat. After all, being mired in uncertainty about important questions can be miserable. More worryingly, being too eager to resolve uncertainty鈥攚ith instant answers from AI or overly confident advice from wellness gurus, say鈥攃an lead us astray. This is a nuanced look at a complex topic.

Ballistic, by Henry Abbott

I first encountered Marcus Elliott in Charles Bethea鈥檚 epic 国产吃瓜黑料 story about 鈥渕isogis鈥� back in 2014. He sounded like an interesting dude, but I didn鈥檛 realize at the time what a major figure Elliott is in the world of injury prevention for pro athletes. That鈥檚 the topic of Abbott鈥檚 new book, which is part biography and part injury prevention manifesto. Elliott is a big believer in the importance of ballistic movements like jumping and landing, and also in the power of 3D motion analysis to pick up subtle signs of impending injury. My general take is that injury prediction is somewhere between really hard and impossible, but by the end of the book, I couldn鈥檛 help thinking, 鈥淢an, I鈥檇 like this guy to take a look at my running stride.鈥�

Adaptable, by Herman Pontzer

Pontzer is an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, and his new book is basically an account of how our bodies work as viewed through the lens of evolution. You might be familiar with his previous book, Burn, which covered the modern science of metabolism and calorie-burning. What makes both books worth reading is that Pontzer is exceptionally good at explaining science in a clear, rigorous, and entertaining way.

How Economics Explains the World, by Andrew Leigh

If Pontzer鈥檚 credo in Adaptable is 鈥渆verything makes sense when viewed through the lens of evolution,鈥� Leigh鈥檚 is 鈥渆verything makes sense when viewed through the lens of economics.鈥� Leigh is an Australian politician and government minister, as well as an accomplished ultrarunner and former economics professor. The subtitle of his new book is 鈥淎 Short History of Humanity,鈥� which captures its spirit nicely: it鈥檚 basically a fun and fast-paced history of civilization as seen from the perspective of economists.

Win the Inside Game, by Steve Magness

Longtime science-of-running fans will remember Magness as the author of the encyclopedic tome a decade ago. Before that, he鈥檇 been a 4:01 high-school miler and later a coach of college and professional runners. In recent years, though, Magness鈥檚 focus has broadened to performance in its broadest sense. He wrote a couple of performance-focused books with former 国产吃瓜黑料 columnist Brad Stulberg, and then the 2022 bestseller Do Hard Things. Magness has always been an exceptional synthesizer, drawing connections across an impressively wide range of domains. His new book is more personal than his previous ones, drawing on his experiences as a whistleblower at the Nike Oregon Project, and seeks to guide the reader not just to performance but to fulfillment.

Out and Back, by Hillary Allen

In 2017, Allen fell 150 feet off a ridge during a mountain race in Norway. Her injuries were horrific. This book is her account of what happened after the accident. Spoiler: contrary to all predictions, she managed to return to the top levels of elite ultrarunning, and in fact her career continues to this day. The story itself, as a straightforward narrative, is fascinating. But what takes it up a notch is her attempts to understand what being an endurance athlete means to her鈥攂ecause you don鈥檛 fight back from an accident like that without a clear understanding of your whys.

North, by Scott Jurek

Jurek鈥檚 second book, after his 2012 bestseller Eat and Run, grapples with some of the same questions Hillary Allen鈥檚 book does. But instead of a mountain accident, he鈥檚 facing a more inexorable foe: aging. He was 41 when he set out to attempt to break the Appalachian Trail record, his career as a legendary ultramarathon champ fading out. Like Allen鈥檚 book, Jurek鈥檚 top-level narrative鈥攊n this case, the record attempt鈥攊s a great story on its own, full of improbable twists and impressive feats. But it鈥檚 the existential angst that kept me turning the pages.

Burke & Wills, by Peter FitzSimons

I spent the last five years writing a book about the science of exploring, which meant I read a lot of exploring stories. Among the most epic was the tale of the Burke and Wills expedition, the first to cross the interior of Australia. It鈥檚 by far the most famous Australian exploration tale, but relatively unknown outside the country. That should change: it鈥檚 a wild saga, a mix of adventure, fortitude, comedy (the first time I heard about the expedition was in a Bill Bryson book), and tragedy. For a long time the definitive account was Sarah Murgatroyd鈥檚 2002 book The Dig Tree, but FitzSimons鈥� 2018 book now holds that mantle.

The Explorer鈥檚 Gene, by Alex Hutchinson

You can also find out about Burke and Wills by reading鈥� my new book! They feature in a chapter that compares the exploration of Australia to the strategies mice use to explore water mazes: thigmotaxis, scanning, incursions, and so on. Burke and Wills used a strategy that鈥檚 very effective for crossing large expanses of unknown territory, but not so good for getting back home again. More generally, the book is about why we鈥檙e drawn to explore, how we do it, and what we get out of it鈥攖he perfect accompaniment for whatever adventures you have planned for the summer. Happy reading!

For more Sweat Science, join me on and , sign up for the , and check out my new book .

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It鈥檚 been a long, hot summer, folks鈥攁nd we鈥檙e just as over it as you are. Fortunately, there are plenty of places that still have decent temps. Even in the Lower 48, many of our national parks sit at high elevations and high latitudes. These positions insulate them from the heat waves down south鈥攁nd give you the opportunity to taste winter any month of the year. Dip your feet in ice-cold water, jump into a snowbank, or bask in the cool breeze peeling off a glacier at these five summer-perfect parks.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado聽

With dozens of peaks that soar above 12,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best places in the country to make a snow angel in midsummer. There are 147 alpine lakes to choose from, but our favorite is the snowmelt-fed tarn at the base of Andrews Glacier, a permanent snowfield that shrinks but never disappears. The 8.3-mile out-and-back from the Glacier Gorge trailhead follows chattering streams and twists through fields of bluebell and columbine on its way to the quiet glacial cirque where Andrews Tarn sits.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia is the northernmost national park on the East Coast, which means conditions already feel pretty Canadian. Add to that a fresh coastal breeze and enough cloud cover to shade the park鈥檚 lush forests, and you鈥檝e got a deliciously cool escape from the summer heat. For even chillier temps, plan a hike to the summit of , which is 3 to 5 degrees cooler than the rest of the park. (It鈥檚 also the first place in the Lower 48 that sees sunrise; plan for a pre-dawn climb, or snag a summit .)

Glacier National Park, Montana

Thanks to its location on the border with Canada, is one of our nation鈥檚 highest-latitude hiking havens. This month, highs are hovering around the 60s and 70s, and nighttime temps are still dropping into the 40s. Ascend to higher elevation on any of the park鈥檚 hundreds of miles of alpine trail, and you鈥檙e almost guaranteed to find cold breezes, refreshing alpine lakes, and pockets of snow. Our pick: The 11.3-mile out-and-back from the Many Glacier entrance to the edge of the Grinnell Glacier. Along the way, you鈥檒l pass three lakes鈥擥rinnell Lake, Upper Grinnell Lake, and Lake Josephine鈥攁nd ascend to about 6,500 feet above sea level.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Located on an island in the northern corner of Lake Superior, is one of our nation鈥檚 least-visited national parks鈥攁nd one with the most comfortable hiking temperatures during the summer. The breezes flowing across Lake Superior provide an influx of chilled air all summer long, keeping temperatures within the 50s and 70s, even in August. For a full-value coastal wander, target the Stroll Trail, a 4.3-mile jaunt that starts and ends at the Rock Harbor Visitor Center.

Sequoia National Park, California

Home to the tallest peak in the Lower 48, Sequoia National Park encompasses a massive amount of high-elevation terrain and dozens of permanent snowfields. If you鈥檙e feeling ambitious, grab a permit to , where nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing all year-round. And if you need a hike that鈥檚 a little more, well, chill, head to the Mineral King parking lot, which sits at 8,000 feet above sea level. Plan a mellow out-and-back along the snowmelt-fed East Fork Kaweah River, or climb the separate Timber Gap Trail to nearby Columbine Lake, which is often flanked by snow year-round.

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Time slows down in the summer. Where I live it鈥檚 too hot to do much unless you鈥檙e out early in the day or late in the evening. It seems like everyone else is on vacation, and the academic back-to-work creep of September is still off in the distance.

In short, it鈥檚 the perfect time to laze about in the midday heat鈥攆or long afternoons of reading on the porch or hiding out in the dark in front of a fan watching a movie.

And this summer we have a lot of good options.

What Books Should I Read This Summer?

My neighbor spotted a mountain lion on our street when she took the garbage out the other night so I have been thinking a lot about human-wildlife interaction. It helps that I鈥檝e been reading , Julia Phillips鈥� novel about what happens to two sisters when a grizzly shows up on San Juan Island.

The story culminates when their diverging reactions to the bear鈥攆ear and fascination鈥攕plit them apart. To understand which of those reactions I should realistically have to my local predators, I鈥檝e also been reading Brandon Keim鈥檚 non-fiction tale, . On the surface, the book is about how we can better live with wildlife, but really is a charming dive into all the way animals interact with each other, and with us. We鈥檙e not as far apart as we might seem, according to Keim.

If summer has you thinking about plants more than animals, check out Olivia Liang鈥檚 new book It’s a whirlwind essayistic mashup of the history of cultivating and colonizing plants, and the ways gardens have been an important source of liberation and inspiration and survival, all set against the background of Liang鈥檚 own quest to rehabilitate a historic garden in the depths of COVID. She fumbles a little when she tries to address warming summers, but she makes up for it in her lush descriptions of growing things.

If gardens (or nonfiction) aren鈥檛 exciting enough for you, the perfect summer read might look something like Liz Moore鈥檚 which incorporates summer camp, family drama, and a set of missing siblings into a twisty, hard to put down thriller. Moore鈥檚 language, and her knack for building character and scene give it that jumpy feeling of stepping outside the campfire鈥檚 light and wondering what鈥檚 around you.

Indie Flicks and Summer Blockbusters

Movies more your summer speed? In , Amy, a visiting New York consultant, in town with her negligent fianc茅, develops a reciprocated crush on Loren, a fishing guide barely skating by in Jackson Hole. The summer light of the Tetons is a character all its own, and the film nails the details of skid life (multiple jobs, insecure housing, the performative localism of second home owners). But the best parts are the painfully tender ones about the shiny, hard-to-achieve appeal of a place like Jackson, and about the ache of not getting to live all the lives you can imagine for yourself and having to commit to just one.

Speaking of films, we could talk about , this year鈥檚 biggest tease of a seasonal blockbuster (Why don鈥檛 they kiss? Why don鈥檛 they talk about climate change?) But the real standout from the movie is the music.

Summer, in my house, is weekend road trip season and the Twisters’ soundtrack feels like exactly what you should be playing on a Friday night when you鈥檙e driving down a dirt road hunting for a campsite.

There are a couple skippable bro-country bombs, but there are also standouts from Oklahoma artists like Wyatt Flores, and a Shania Twain song that sounds exactly like a Shania Twain song should.

Perfect Podcasts for Long Drives

If you鈥檙e not a music in the car person, and if you鈥檙e already missing the drama of the Olympics, there are a couple of podcasts that might scratch your itch. Consider , about mechanical doping in bike racing, or , a CBC podcast about, um, broom doping, in curling, the most adorably Canadian drama ever. They both fall into my favorite category of podcasts: twisty investigative journalism where no one gets hurt or killed.

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It seems like every summer brings a fresh hell鈥攍iterally鈥攐f , record-breaking temperatures, and meteorological anomalies you鈥檝e never heard of before (what the heck is a ?). But try telling experienced backpackers and hikers not to hit the trails when the mercury is popping and see what happens; a little thing like a heat index over 110掳F won鈥檛 keep some of us inside.

Unfortunately, that can, and sometimes does, result in dangerous situations such as heat illness, which can be uncomfortable at best and . So what鈥檚 a hiker to do when the summer sun turns their playground into something that resembles the surface of Mercury? Acclimatize.

Your body can and will acclimate to hotter temperatures, says David Fifer, associate professor of emergency medical care at Eastern Kentucky University and wilderness paramedic and coordinator of RedSTAR Wilderness EMS in Powell County, Kentucky. It just takes time. After some heat training, you鈥檒l feel less miserable out there, you鈥檒l perform better, your heart will beat more efficiently, and your risk of heat illness will decrease. In some states, temperatures will stay high for the next several months, so if you start heat training now, you鈥檒l be able to comfortably hike through some late-summer heat.

What Is Heat Acclimatization?

By , you鈥檙e encouraging your body to produce more , which kick into high gear to protect your cells鈥攊ncluding those in your heart and muscles鈥攆rom damage under stress (such as conditions during brutally hot days).

As this happens, a few things occur. First, you鈥檒l sweat more efficiently. You鈥檒l start sweating faster and also produce more sweat, explains Seth Collings Hawkins, associate professor of emergency medicine at Wake Forest University and a master fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. This helps you cool down faster; your body gets rid of excess body heat as it vaporizes the sweat.

Circulation also stabilizes the more you acclimatize your body to heat. This means your heart won鈥檛 have to work as hard, your core temperature and heart rate won鈥檛 be as high, plus blood gets pumped to your muscles more efficiently.

How Do You Acclimatize?

, suggests Fifer. Start with easy, 20-minute walks outside in the heat, then every day (or every other day), increase that time by 20 minutes for a week or two. After that time, your body will start to get used to the new strain on your system. You don鈥檛 have to work hard to acclimatize: Your body adapts to the heat if you regularly spend time in a sauna or a hot bath, too.

How long it actually takes to fully acclimatize depends on you and your body. 鈥淵our baseline fitness is going to be a big factor in your acclimatization plan, and the more fit you are, the easier it鈥檚 going to be,鈥� Fifer says. If you鈥檙e at peak physical fitness, some studies suggest your body may adapt to heat training faster.

But if you鈥檙e out of shape, suffer from heart issues, or are overweight, heat illness can strike more rapidly, acclimatized or not. And if you鈥檝e been skipping a lot of gym sessions or have spent your whole summer so far indoors, planning a backpacking trip on the hottest weekend of the year isn鈥檛 a good idea.

Either way, if you鈥檙e planning any extreme activities, like a mid-summer thru-hike in the desert, Fifer says it鈥檚 wise to consult with a physician or knowledgeable athletic trainer first. Especially because a wide variety of medications鈥攊ncluding SSRIs for depression and stimulant supplements for weight loss鈥攃an interfere with your body鈥檚 ability to process heat.

Are There Limits to Acclimatization?

Acclimatizing your body doesn鈥檛 necessarily make it invincible. Hawkins cites studies that suggest that, no matter how acclimatized you are, your body can鈥檛 sustain a healthy core temperature when you鈥檙e in an environment hotter than 88掳F and at 100 percent humidity. In 50 percent humidity, the limit is closer to 122掳F, though the combination of temperature and exposure duration can both affect how well your body can acclimatize.

Speaking of humidity, heat adaptation in dry climates doesn鈥檛 tend to translate to adaptation in humid climates and vice versa. So if you can, train in weather you鈥檙e expecting to experience on the trail.

Don鈥檛 bail on time outside when it鈥檚 hot. Some studies suggest that spending a week or more away from the heat can be enough to set progress back at least a bit, meaning you鈥檒l have to spend a few days re-adapting. On the upside, according to the CDC, kicking it in your air conditioned living room or at the movie theater doesn鈥檛 seem to affect acclimatization, so soak it up when you can.

Then, when you do head outdoors this summer, don鈥檛 forget to stay hydrated and pack .

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This month, we鈥檝e already seen the in human history based on average temperatures across the globe. And while that heat is dangerous to humans, it鈥檚 even worse for dogs. Because they can’t sweat, dogs struggle to release heat as efficiently as humans can. In an effort to help our four-legged friends survive this summer, I examined the ways in which dogs can avoid heat-related illness鈥攁nd what we as pet owners can do if our canine’s temperature rises too high.

What Is Canine Heatstroke?

Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when an animal鈥檚 body loses the ability to cool itself. The result is organ dysfunction and then damage that could be permanent or fatal.

According to Cornell University鈥檚 Canine Health Center, dogs begin to experience heatstroke when their internal temperature .

鈥淚f elevated body temperatures are prolonged, they will cause damage to every organ in the body,鈥� the University鈥檚 material reads. 鈥淗eatstroke commonly leads to acute kidney injury, blood clotting issues and shock.鈥�

Heatstroke can be caused solely by environmental conditions鈥攈ot temperatures鈥攐r result from a combination of environmental conditions and such as too much exercise.

How Dangerous Is Canine Heatstroke?

A study published in Nature found that out of 905,543 dogs who entered formal veterinary care in the United Kingdom during 2016, . Fifty-six of those dogs (14 percent) died as a result.

That same study found that incidents of dogs suffering heat-related illnesses is increasing year-on-year, something the authors attribute to climate change.

Mortality rates are higher in hotter areas of the world. , for instance, found that 50 percent of all dogs admitted to vets for heat-related illnesses died. A study of records for otherwise healthy dogs treated for heat-related illnesses in the United States found that as a result of heatstroke, or 36 percent. A German study pegged the studied fatality rate for heatstroke in that country at .

What Are Symptoms of Heatstroke in Dogs?

If a dog is or has been exposed to hot temperatures, Cornell says the following signs may indicate that they may be experiencing heat related illness:

• Heavy Panting
• Drooling
• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Collapse

What Heat Risks Do Dogs Experience?

Dogs are at particular risk of heatstroke for two reasons: They can鈥檛 sweat like humans, and our best friends are exposed to more extreme heat than we are, even when we share spaces.

Humidity: When dogs pant, they allow moisture to escape from their lungs, reducing body heat. High humidity can halt that process, preventing a dog from cooling itself.

Environmental factors: A study conducted in Alabama found that, on average, dogs experience temperatures 1.3 degrees hotter than those experienced by their owners. Variables like clothing, shade, and distance from the hot ground may contribute.

Hot surfaces: Even in 75 degree ambient temperatures, direct sun exposure can increase the temperature of pavement to 125 degrees or more. That鈥檚 hot enough to burn a dog鈥檚 paws. In Arizona this month, street temperatures have been measured .

Health: The Nature study found that factors like a dog’s skull shape (brachycephalic, or short-nosed dogs), obesity, and age significantly increased risk of heatstroke.

Hot cars: Across all studies and reports, one factor stands out above all others鈥攄ogs left in hot cars are most at risk for heatstroke. A parked car can reach dangerous temperatures in a matter of minutes, even if the windows are down.

What Should You Do if Your Dog Gets Heatstroke?

If you suspect that your dog is beginning to overheat, or if you discover a dog you think is suffering from heatstroke, you need to cool it down immediately.

If possible, first move to shade or an air conditioned environment. Then apply ice, cool water, or other tools directly to the dog鈥檚 skin to cool it down as rapidly as possible.

鈥淚 use water and ice,鈥� says Joe Spoo, a sporting dog veterinarian located in South Dakota. 鈥淲ith the ice, I鈥檓 using it strategically deep in the groin, deep in the armpits, and across the jugular.鈥�

Spoo explains that those areas are closest to major arteries, allowing ice to cool the dog as effectively as possible. He also recommends drenching the dog in cool water, or even placing it in a body of water like a lake or stream, should one be available. If water is in short supply, he says you can soak a towel, t-shirt or similar with a water bottle, and apply that to the same areas.

When I take my dogs hiking or camping during the summer, I throw a cooler or 12-volt fridge in the truck, and keep a few ice packs and jugs of water in that. Even on short outings, where I’m not otherwise packing food and drinks.

Spoo also recommends carrying a thermometer as part of your dog first aid kit, and using that to monitor temperature change in your dog. Normal internal temperatures for dogs run between 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If you鈥檙e worried your dog may be overheating, Spoo suggests using a thermometer not just to take a reading, but rather to monitor whether or not the dog is cooling down.

鈥淒uring heatstroke, the problem is your dog鈥檚 internal聽thermometer is broken,鈥� the vet explains. 鈥淭he key with heatstroke is that the dog loses the ability to cool itself down. So take its temperature at 5, 10, and 15 minutes, and if you have a temperature that鈥檚 climbing or staying the same you have a problem.鈥�

And while Spoo says you need to cool a dog experiencing heatstroke as quickly as possible, you should use that thermometer to keep an eye on its internal temperature, and stop cooling at 103 degrees.

Once you鈥檝e cooled a dog down to a safe level, you need to get it to an animal hospital as fast as possible. There, a vet may administer intravenous fluids, antibiotics, perform a blood transfusion, or otherwise treat any organ damage that may have occurred. But a vet cannot cool a dog any faster or more effectively than you can, so prioritize cooling the dog before transporting it, or make sure you鈥檙e able to cool it during transportation.

How Can You Prevent Your Dog from Getting Heatstroke?

Spoo says a good guideline聽for active dogs is to add together the air temperature and humidity level, and, if the sum exceeds 150, then “it鈥檚 a danger zone for most dogs.鈥�

In hot weather, leave your dog in a reliably air conditioned or shaded space, and make sure they have plenty of cool water to drink. Never leave a dog unattended in a parked car.

It鈥檚 also important to get to know your dog, and in what conditions they do well or struggle. Temperatures that may be safe for a young, healthy mutt, may be lethal for a senior, overweight, brachycephalic purebred like a bulldog.

But Spoo says this knowledge, and even a mastery of first aid techniques should not be used as an excuse for exposing your dog to danger. 鈥淒on鈥檛 use this information to push boundaries, and then try to save your dog,鈥� the vet advises.

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