Why did The Idiot leave the cool Pacific Ocean, where he gleefully hiked on breezy pristine beaches and through shady redwood forests, to walk on fire-scorched paths through smoke-obscured air in debilitating heat?

He ventured inland to Redding, CA, to acclimate to temperatures similar to those he’ll find when he MedTreks in Lebanon and Israel next month. The intense summer heat (people in Redding think it’s chilly in August when the temperature is under three digits), the long-term California drought, a spate of wildfires, and the sight and smell of smoke provided “perfect” training conditions.

California may be the Golden State but the drought has kept much of it dry and ready to burn. The Idiot walked up this path just after a 6:14 am August sunrise.

The Idiot took this path up a hill burned by a recent grassfire.

Wildfire-produced smoke obscured Redding at sunset on August 9.

Wildfire-produced smoke obscured Redding at mid-morning on August 10.

Smoke forced the closure of some recreational areas in Redding, CA, during the week of August 10.

Redding has one asset, however, not found in Lebanon or Israel — California’s largest river.

The wide, cold, fast-flowing Sacramento River that winds through the city of 90,000 people helped cool the air and psychologically temper the impact of the smoke. The Idiot, who grew up on the river south of town during the 1950s and ’60s, walked miles on sections of the Sacramento River Trail during early August mornings and late afternoons. There were few other hikers but lots of deer, bald eagles, geese, vultures and other animals who live near the river or have moved down from the surrounding mountains.

Approaching the Sundial Bridge on the Sacramento River in Redding, CA.

Nearing the Sacramento River Railroad Train Trestle and the Diestelhorst Bridge in Redding, CA.

A natural bench prompts a break during a warm walk on the Sacramento River.

Typical signage on the Sacramento River Trail.

The Idiot also strolled through urban neighborhoods where cemeteries and baseball fields are still green and watered.

The baseball field in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in Redding, CA, is watered at 6 am.

And to stay out of the heat during the middle of the day he took time off for a facial, a massage and visits to local watering holes and spas.

Beaming after a facial at Renew Medi Spa during an afternoon break to avoid heat exhaustion.

Totally hang loose after a birthday massage by Chris (right) at the office of Dr. Trudi Pratt.

Next week: The Idiot treks on the Atlantic Ocean and in Vermont hills.

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."