Summer is here!

Well, not officially. Technically the first day of summer is not until June 21.

Anyone who has been paying attention, however, knows the children are out of school, and it is hot as heck out there.

Therefore, summer is here.

Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is the official, unofficial, beginning of summer. By then most students have wrapped up the school year and people are ready to take vacations and head to the beach or the mountains, or wherever.

I thought Memorial Day weekend would be a great opportunity to play a round of golf, which I had not been able to do since early last fall, and, of course, Duncan Park was the perfect place for a hacker like my buddy and I to go duff some balls.

Duncan Park is beautiful. The fairways and greens are well-kept, and the rolling hills provide a bit of a challenge.

The sun was fully exposed, backed by a beautiful blue sky and the temperatures stayed below 85 most of the day, but the stagnant air and the 99 percent humidity combined for a 101-heat index.

That’s when I realized that summer is here.

My buddy and I held up pretty well until about the 16^th hole when both of us were starting to succumb to the heat, making the last few holes particularly difficult.

If it weren’t for the oppressive heat, our score cards would have read about 10 strokes fewer for each of us.

That’s our excuse, anyway, and I know the next time I venture out to hack some balls at Duncan Park, it will more than likely be a lot hotter.

If 85 degrees produces a 101-heat index, what will 95 or 100 degrees be on the heat index?

Therefore, I’ve endeavored to get acclimated to the heat, which can be difficult when you work in an air-conditioned building most of the day every day.

In my younger days, I worked on a farm and the heat never bothered me. I figure it was because I was in the outdoors every day, year around. Kind of like that frog in a pot of boiling water. Slowly turn up the temperature, and you get accustomed to it as it goes.

Therefore, I have vowed to try to spend 20-30 minutes per morning walking or bicycling along the Natchez bluffs that are close to my house, and next time my golfing buddy comes to visit, I’ll be better prepared and maybe get a couple of strokes on him.

So far, my acclimation experience is proving tough with a lot of sweat and not much acclimation.

I plan to keep it up for a while to see if it works, though, and meanwhile, it is a great way to start the day.

The bluffs are filled with other people who apparently have the same idea as me. They are walking, riding bicycles, some are in groups, some are alone, some are with dogs, some of them wear headphones. One guy on a bicycle even wears a big boombox like a backpack with music, heavy on the bass, booming out for all to hear.

Some of the bluffers are older, some look to be very serious about their athletic performance and are wearing sweat bands and color-coordinated athletic apparel, while others just seem to be enjoying the atmosphere.

I’m just happy to be in the mix, breathing a little fresh air and taking in the sights and scenes along the beautiful Natchez bluffs. If I get acclimated to the heat or in a little better shape, all the better.

If not, at least I’m enjoying the endeavor, and I hope you will do the same.

Happy summer.

Scott Hawkins is editor of The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at 601-445-3540 or scott.hawkins@natchezdemocrat.com.