Pay no attention . . .

. . . to the weatherman.  I had planned on hiking today with friends, my usual Tuesday hike.  We were going to one of my favorite places:  Sugarloaf Mountain, near Dickerson, Maryland.  I always used to get lost when going there, until I realized that the local Interstate Highway (I-270) was the best bet. 
Now Joe likes New Orleans and Mobile, both places he knew well when we were young.  And he always gets eager when some hurricane looks to threaten those places.  So this summer, this week, there's hurricane Isaac and there's also the Republican party having a big nominating convention in Tampa, down in Florida.  And there were fears that Tampa might be adversely affected by Mr. Isaac.  Sunday and Monday Joe put on his channel-flipper gloves and likely did not watch anything more than weather reports, some on site, some off site, looking for word of New Orleans and Mobile.   After all, this week is the 7th anniversary of hurricane Katrina. 
What has this to do with Tuesday hiking?  I know not why the local weather reporters got so crazy, but they were predicting showers, sunshine, thunderstorms, partly cloudy - - not a one of them consistent with another.  And so this morning, bright and early - - well, not bright.  That was the problem.  It was cloudy, and it was humid, and I dithered around and finally decided.  If I were on a Through-Hike on the C & O Canal or if I were hiking on one of Scotland's lovely long-distance footpaths, I would soldier on through rain, wind, sleet, whatever.  But I'm not there and not doing that.  And rather than drive 35 miles just to walk in what might turn into a thunderstorm, I decided to stay home.  Particularly after Pat reminded me of the time years ago when 4 of us arrived at Sugarloaf's West Parking Lot just in time for a deluge to drop upon us and turn the steps to the summit into a waterfall. 
No walking today.  But how silly that was.  Yes, the early morning was cloudy and humid, but the day progressed (as it always does), and became a bright, sparkling day with shadows so crisp and sharp you'd think they were cut with scissors. 
So I got things ready for the Scotland trip next Wednesday.  Not quite a wasted day.  But no walking today.  How'm I supposed to get my lower extremities ready for walking 7-12 miles/day if I'm not doing some of that now?  Well, there are still 7 days to go.