This summer has been unbearable with the heat and humidity. I’m afraid with global climate change, this may be our new normal. But today it was a little cooler and we took advantage of the favorable weather and got out for a hike at Swiftwater Forest Preserve in Paradise Township. I love this short hike for its coniferous forest and soft, pine needle-covered trails. It’s a mellow hike and today there were so many mushrooms to look at. We had heavy rains this week, but the trails were mostly dry and not too buggy. We took our time exploring and enjoying the fresh morning air.

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