The summer has been hot, too hot. Every summer my family and I take a camping trip and go hiking. It has been far too steamy to be pent up in a tent, with nightly talks around a blazing fire. At the mere suggestion at a camping trip I got back four groans from the hubby and kids.
My need to explore nature has been building up all summer. I can't take being cooped up inside this air-conditioned house, no natural breeze through a window because of the scorching heat it would bring into the room. I've got to get outdoors and do something!
With determination, I packed my backpack. Small first aid kit, bug spray, suntan lotion, hand towel, food, and a few nearly frozen bottles of water. My husband refused to leave the comforts of home, and tried to talk me out of going.
"You shouldn't go hiking alone," he said.
"Come with me," I replied.
"God, no. Not in this heat. If you wait until fall..."
"We can go again in the fall, but I've got to get out and do something now."
"It's not safe to go alone, baby," he pleaded.
"Your invitation still stands, I'd love your company." I gave my best sexy smile, batted my eyelashes, and blown a kiss in his direction. I received nothing but the "you're being a bad little girl" look back at me.
I grabbed the pepper spray from my purse and placed it in my backpack, showing it to my hubby first. I flung the bag over my shoulder, grabbed my keys, and headed out; alone.
I arrived at the state park and found the place had a population of about a third of what it usually had each year. I'm glad that the paths wont be over crowded, yet enough people around that the concern for safety was at a minimal. I did move my pepper spray to an outer pocket of the backpack, just in case I need to grab it. It's not helpful if I have to dig for it.
The sun, as usual, shone brightly and I could feel the air temperature rising quickly as the morning progressed. Before heading for a trial, I felt that I better apply the suntan lotion first. So I sat down on the huge rock by the path entrance and dug out the tube. Other hikers had similar ideas.
I was wearing a beige spaghetti strap type tank top, and hunter green shorts. They were loose enough to let a breeze in...should one happen along. It was far too hot for a bra today. As I was applying lotion to my inner thighs, I felt like eyes were upon me. I quickly looked up and found none of the other hikers looking in my direction. Except, maybe, that guy across the wide path opening. I applied lotion to my neck very slowly as I watched him, bringing my hand across my collarbone and deeper towards the top of my tank top. Dare I apply lotion down my shirt? I dare. Casually I reach down my shirt with my hand, fondled each breast briefly, and pulled out my hand. I then lifted my shirt a bit to reveal my stomach and I continued to apply lotion...ever so slowly. I got a smile from my one-man audience across the path. Could I possible be seeing a tent pitched this summer after all? I think I do.
I stood up and bent over, more than I should, to pick up the backpack. I swung it over my back, gave a smirk to the man I was leaving behind and took the path to the right. With my mood picked-up, I breathed in the fresh air and enjoyed it. There is nothing better than being out in the woods covered by a green canopy and hearing the birds rustling the leaves and singing.
After about thirty minutes of hiking, the heat started to get to me. I found a bench and sat down to have a drink. I used the hand towel to wipe the sweat from my brow. The bottles of ice have already melted down halfway. I drank the melted water, and ran the bottle over my neck and under my shirt to cool off. No one else was around, or so I thought.