This is not to say Texas doesn't have its fair share of ticks. I remember once pulling a tick off my chest at a boy scout camp. I took my shirt off in my tent and saw it digging its way into my skin so I grabbed it and yanked. I tried to pull it out, and my skin went up with it, forming a tent-like structure over my…

Oddly enough, my Texas tick stories are few. My southern US tick stories are numerous. As far as I'm concerned, Mississippi has more ticks than the rest of the states in the US combined.

That sucks for you.

Yeah, I was getting a bit punchy. Every tree root began to look like a snake, and then every color turned technicolor.

Probably. Maybe. I dunno.

Yes. That is what I mean. I have a water filtration kit I take with me on our hikes. You never know how things are going to shake out.*

I didn't get that bad as I recognized what was happening. My heart started beating fast and heavy and my mind started to get a little woozy. It's the reason why I finally stopped to catch myself. I also realized I had nowhere near enough water to support me and two kids for a full ten mile hike. So we threw in the…

It's the only way I've ever done back flips into a pool, so I guess it's good for my don't-give-a-fucks.

It's now officially too damned hot to hike in Southeast Texas unless water is plentiful - which it isn't because it hasn't rained recently.

Post-2005 it was universally called E. Pre-2005, everybody called it X or even Mollies.

I experienced real overheating this past weekend on a hike when I decided not to take a water break before hitting 1.5 miles first. It was very unpleasant, and I relented at 1.3 miles. It caused me to call short the hike I was on with my kids.

Holy shit, that guy looks like he could be my dad.

I dunno. Back in my time, I took my share of X (WE CALLED IT X GODDAMMIT, NOT E) during Texas summers, and it never killed me. I did sweat like a pig though.

Poppycock.

Not when they're my age. (I am four years older than the dead guy.)

Also, who knew the Electric Daisy Carnival was still a thing?

Overdose.

"BUT I'M NOT A STALKER!"

But he'd still like to hear more about those boy cots.

TIM FOR A BOYCOT!!