Checked Out Summer Series: part 2 of 4

 

 

With summer just around the corner and many minds still stuck in last week’s summer tease, my own brain pondered ways to avoid the heat and wrote a mental sticky note to pick up some more sunscreen.

Being born and raised in Oregon, I am not built for the heat. I thrive in gray skies and light drizzle with a high temperature that does not exceed 67 degrees. While our summer is mild compared to that in other parts of the country, those 80- to high 90-degree days really get to me… Let alone days in the triple digits.

With that said, it becomes very important to know how to cool off.

We all know the go-to locations for relief: the river, the beach and the ice cream shop. The river is a great place to go because it is so close and accessible. My favorite to visit is the Sandy River. A day at the river can be a blast, floating around and enjoying the greenery that makes up the Northwest, but be warned: most rivers don’t have lifeguards on duty and, remember, the Sandy is really snowmelt from the mountain and doesn’t get too warm.

Cooling off can be more than just self-satisfying; it can be helpful, as well. A charity car wash can be fun and beneficial to the community, raising money for a local cause. It also gives you the chance to don your favorite swimwear or summer clothes and play with a hose and cool water all day.

Thinking outside of the box (and getting out of the house) also takes us to… shopping. Most stores are air-conditioned. Go on a hunt for the perfect pair of sandals or the shorts you’ve been aching to buy. Another option would be a window-shopping trip that might be a little kinder to your wallet. Even grocery shopping turns into a refreshing trip. Just make sure to spend a little extra time in the refrigerated section and freezer aisle.

So, pack up a cooler with goodies from your grocery trip, take the morning shift of the car wash fundraiser, then grab some of your favorite buddies and spend the rest of the day treating your Vitamin D deficiency on the banks of your favorite waterfront locale.

Enjoy the sun while it’s here, and don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen.