Hikermor,

That was just tongue in cheek about avoiding Arizona. I've been there a number of times including hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Great trip!

Nomad, I've also been to Maine many times. My mother was born there. Yep, summer in Maine is awesome. Right about now, I would trade winter in Maine for fires in California! Now where did I put that N95 mask?

I used to be a biologist so l am not afraid of snakes. I do, however, have a healthy respect for them. I once had to catch and tag a 4ft rattler for a class in college. Well, it didn't have to be 4ft, but it was the only one I could find.