The Idiot always starts hikes during the lazy, hazy Northern California dog days of August well before sunrise and heat, often in triple digits, influence the course of the day. And he always finishes, after walking an average of ten miles four times a week since the pandemic lockdown began six months ago, before most people go to work.
Here’s how things look as summer wanes and autumn attempts to appear on the horizon.
Most people in Redding, California, are still asleep when The Idiot kicks off his walks before sunrise.
The American flag is frequently listless during the droopy dog days of summer in Northern California.
The Idiot has usually completed over half his hike before getting a good look at the sun at 7 am.
The Idiot sees faux autumn colors on the banks of the Sacramento River during a mid-August hike.
The Idiot beats the birds to some figs for his grazing breakfast during an early morning ten-mile walk.
The Idiot gets another off-beat view of Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge during his daily hike.
There’s little green grass left after months of summer heat in Northern California.
The Idiot greets two “homeless” campers enjoying breakfast as he wraps up one morning hike.
The Idiot chats with a “homeless” camper who is sorting plastic containers and tin cans that, he says, “should fetch me about $50.”
A group of “homeless” campers organized their belongings when they leave their current campsite.
The Idiot heads out for another walk on a smoky Sunday morning (August 23).
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