Sweating it out: my battle with Mid-Atlantic heat and Lyme paranoia
Moving from the gentle breezes of the West Coast to the sticky, suffocating heat of the Mid-Atlantic was a shock I never saw coming. I always thought I was tough, but nothing prepared me for the feeling of my shirt clinging to my back before 9 a.m. The locals smirked as I fumbled with my wardrobe, sweating through my old cotton tees and cursing every bug bite.
I needed a solution—fast. I started hunting for shirts that could survive both the trail and the office. The so-called 'fishing shirts' from big brands like Columbia and ExOfficio promised breathability and sun protection, but after a week, I realized they were just overpriced plastic bags. The sweat pooled, the fabric stuck, and the smell—don’t get me started.
Desperate, I tried a lesser-known brand recommended by a crusty old hiker at a local outfitter. He swore by RailRiders, claiming their shirts could survive a hurricane and still look good for a Zoom call. He wasn’t wrong. The fabric felt cool, dried in minutes, and actually looked sharp. But the price? Let’s just say I had to skip a few dinners out to justify it.
Then came the tick paranoia. Everyone here seems to know someone who’s been wrecked by Lyme disease. The pharmacist gave me a look of pity when I asked about permethrin for my socks and underwear. She muttered something about 'city folks and their chemicals.' But after pulling a tick off my calf, I didn’t care. I doused everything I owned in permethrin, even though my neighbor warned me it would 'rot my skin.'
Now, every morning, I suit up like I’m heading into battle—long sleeves, treated socks, and a wary eye on every blade of grass. The scenery is stunning: mist rising off the rivers, forests so green they hurt your eyes. But the beauty is always edged with danger. I love it, I hate it, and I can’t stop talking about it.
If you think you’re ready for the Mid-Atlantic, think again. This place will chew you up and spit you out—unless you’re willing to fight back.
#MidAtlanticLife #TravelConfessions #LymeDisease #OutdoorGear #CultureShock #Travel
