A week or so ago, Trail Head reader Pancho empathized along with me as I described the atrocious heat and humidity while on the trail hiking in Baxter State Park.

It was brain-baking brutal that weekend, no doubt.

Sensing that my fried synapses needed some serious cooling off, Pancho kindly sent me a copy of his book Day Trips with a Splash: Northeastern Swimming Holes.

A fine humanitarian gesture, my friend. Indeed.

On this, the hottest day of the summer with temperatures everywhere in the northeastern US a wilting 90 degrees plus, the arrival of the book was also timely.

I'm sure ready for a good swim.

For us Mainers, Day Trips with a Splash: Northeastern Swimming Holes describes 18 cool swimming holes around the state, from Niagara Falls in Baxter to Coos Canyon in Byron to Rattlesnake Pool in Stoneham. Topo maps, lats and longs, and detailed directions are included for each, as well as excellent descriptions of what you're going to find at the falls or pool upon arrival.

Beyond Maine, the book lists great swimming holes from New Hampshire all the way south to Virginia, a varitable lifetime of swimming holes!

Pancho Doll (yep, that's his real name) has actually written a series of books on swimming holes, from California to the Southwest. A fourth book is due out on Southeastern swimming holes.

What fun! Searching out pools and falls and creeks, streams and lakes, and then writing about them. Damn, why didn't I think of that?!

Anyway, pick up a copy and head for swimming hole nearest you. With a few cold ones in tow, of course.

Enjoy! And thanks Pancho!