We've had high heat and humidity recently, and last night's outing was declared "optional." Despite the extreme heat alert, John led a team of five crazy intrepid people into Death Valley the Don Valley. There were no survivors. A good time was had by all: graffiti was erased, Japanese knotweed was surveyed, and a pile of wood was relocated to be less handy for bonfires for the local yewts. A big welcome to Joel and Andrea, new members of the team.

(Confession: I know these details only through the magic of e-mail, since I was not one of the certifiable commendable, reliable, hard-working team members who braved the conditions.)