It was near 90 degrees last Wednesday morning, with humidity in the 80% area, and rising, with wet sand and mud trail, but that was the best-looking day for a hike for the week. Hotter. More humid.

It’s hubby’s vacation time, and my jury duty time, meaning we’re not going far. After I was released early from jury duty on Wednesday, (although I still needed to report the rest of the 2 weeks), we drove to nearby Fort Custer Recreation Area for a lovely hike.

It was amazing to get back into the woods. Lovely, lovely, lovely. I love the woods. I love the lakes and streams in Michigan. All that green and blue. So relaxing. Even with the mucho poison ivy along the trail edge. There was beauty and wildlife in a 360 degree swipe.

However, summer hiking, especially in hot and humid weather, means – da-da-daaah!- mosquitoes.

It was a very quick (hour) hike, only stopping for one short water break, and long enough to snag a few photos. (I do hope you appreciate that last bit.) Jeff said when I stopped in the sunlight, he saw a cloud of mosquitoes around my head.

Even in jeans, long-sleeves, and wide brimmed hats pulled over our ears, I kept swiping my bandana across my face and neck. Jeff said with all his face bites, it will look like he’s a teenager with acne.

A jogger (from the fort?) came from behind us. He had a few leaves tucked into the front of his cap, and a 2′ branch of leaves tucked into his back collar – natural mosquito shoo-ers?

Take a picture. FAST. Before they take another pint with our 3-second stop.

Out of the woods, and walking on the asphalt road back to our van, the mosquito swarm eased up, along with our pace. I was then able to appreciate at leisure all the many varieties of wildflowers around me.

Along the trail was also field walkways of bergamot mint. (Can you say Earl Grey Tea?)

So enjoy your summertime hikes. As for us, we’d rather wait till fall and winter. (Yeah. Maybe not able to wait THAT long.)