Until this weekend, I'd forgotten how amazing it feels to step out of my flip flops and set foot on carpet of cool grass.

Like popsicles or diving into a swimming pool, it's one of those simple summer pleasures that pretty much brings a big grin to everyone's face.

I remembered that delicious feeling by accident at picnic this weekend. I misplaced my flip flops and then was too lazy to find them for a while. So, I found myself walking around barefoot on soft meadow grass strewn with dandelions.

Stretching my toes into the green blades, made a mental note to lose my flip flops immediately whenever I got the chance.

Unfortunately, I came home to read an article in New York Times about the dangers of going barefoot [1]in the park. While the risks seem small, they do (sadly) exist. According to the experts in article, the hazards lurking in the grass include:

• A thick, green carpet might hide shards of glass, a rusty nail or some other tetanus-inducing object.

• Infections are more easily contracted though wet grass, which can damage our skin's natural barriers.

• Wet grass creates an ideal environments for fungal infections (such as athlete's foot) and viruses (such as the kind that cause plantar warts) to take hold on our feet.

• It's possible to contract hookworm from dog or cat feces. Yuck! Nothing like too much information to spoil a simple summer pleasure.

• The worst case scenario (which sounds a little paranoid to a non-medical expert like me) is picking up pseudomonas bacteria which can be fatal if it gets into the bloodstream or lungs. Far more likely, however, is that the same bug will lead to a minor skin infection.

• Though this wasn't mentioned in the article, I'd also include insects. Several years ago, I stepped on bee, and let me assure you that a bee sting between the toes is a painful experience.

Even after weighing the risk vs. rewards, however, I personally still think it's worth it to walk on the wild side once in a while.