I think the best approach for Saturday would be to start the hike around 7:30 in the morning so we can beat the heat. The trailhead parking lot fills up quickly, so arriving early will save us a long walk from the overflow area. I packed trail mix with almonds and dried cherries plus some cucumber sandwiches. We should bring at least two liters of water each because the upper loop has no shade and gets pretty exposed around midday. I mapped out a route that goes past the old fire tower first, then down through the ravine to the creek. That way we hit the steep sections early when we still have energy. Let me know if you want to adjust the time or meet at a different spot. I can swing by your place if that helps. I also have a first aid kit and sunscreen if anyone forgets theirs.

The garden club meeting last night went longer than I expected because we had a debate about which perennials handle the clay soil best in our area. Most people voted for coneflowers and black-eyed Susans since they are tough and bloom for weeks. I volunteered to coordinate the fall bulb planting along the library walkway. We need to order about 400 daffodils and 200 crocuses to get a nice layered look. The order needs to go in by the end of next week if we want them delivered before the ground gets too hard. I said I would double-check the measurements of the beds tomorrow morning and send out a final count. After the planting in October we are planning a small thank-you lunch for the volunteers. I will bring a couple of quiches and some fruit salad.