In search for the perfect way to cool off this summer
Nicole Dial shares some tips to stay out of the heat this summer without breaking the bank.
Don’t spend the dog days of summer trying to cool off in the local community pool (ick) or the mall watching middle aged women in polyester suits speed walk. Get out and get living.
Beach Bonfire– Spend the day lazily tubing down a river or catching some waves at the beach followed up by roasting hot dog weenies and s’mores around a bonfire.
Water Balloon Fight– Throw down with your friends at a local park. Bring along some water guns and start and all out water war. The great thing about water balloons is they’re cheap and easy clean up. Plus they’re not just for kids anymore.
Ice skating and ice cream: There are plenty of indoor skating rinks that have pretty cheap deals on ice skate rentals. Even if you don’t know how to skate, there’s always the cold comfort of watching other people slip and slide around the ice. Finish the day with a sugar rush of ice cream sundaes or some shaved ice.
Amusement Parks– For those willing to brave the hordes and the prices, amusement parks are a great way to spend a summer day. Get your pulse racing with a roller coaster and cool off with a water ride. Most parks have arcades and for a few quarters, you can kill zombies and race around speedways for hours in the sweet heaven of air conditioning. Sigh! Almost reminds me of the good old days I used to spend at my granny’s. They were old but they had a new air conditioner they’d bought from unclutterer, and I absolutely loved it, as a child.
Mess with Walmart: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get kicked out of Walmart. Spend a few amusing hours messing with the people of Walmart before they call security and escort you out.
Embrace you inner critic and hit the movies– Okay, so ticket prices may be a little steep nowadays, but it’s a good way to kill a few hours and beat the summer heat. Check out local film festivals and drive-in movies (Yes, they still exist)
Local Ball game– Most stadiums have cheap days and even in the nose bleed seats you might catch a fly ball. So grab a hat and some beer for this time honored American tradition.
Shanghai your best friend’s air conditioned car and hit the road- Preferably to a location listed above or explore a brand new town.
Nicole Dial is a freelance writer and photographer by night and a starving artist by day. You can follow her at @nicolemdial.
