I have researched the ever-loving garbage out of this subject in desperate need for some mental clarification that I will be okay in this angry furnace of eternal doom. But like zero people have posted about it, so here I am, saving the world.
I live in the Mojave Desert. Las Vegas is in the Mojave Desert. Same desert. Same heat. Nearing the temps of Phoenix Arizona, but without the apocalyptic dust storms. My local friend once described walking outside the front door in the summer as “walking willingly into a preheated oven”. Which is the most accurate description of this dry, soul-crushing heat that I’ve heard.
Here are the things I’ve gathered to help me survive. Physically, I know I will make it. Mentally, I get a little shaky come late July. Do I still scour Zillow for a mountain home to move to every year? Yes. But these few things have helped.
Cook Outside
If you have the best AC and kitchen venting system in the world and you like your pasta super al dente, then maybe this isn’t for you. But for me, I will go months without turning on the stove or oven. It’s not worth sweating in misery for a bowl of mediocre pasta, so I’ve utilized cooking outside. I know you’re thinking only “grilling”, but I’ve never owned a grill. Instead, I utilize the instapot, toaster oven, and air fryer and plug them in on the patio outside.
For safety reasons, I always unplug them. I don’t cook in the rain (mostly) And I store the appliances in an outdoor metal cabinet to keep them clean and dry.
What to Wear
Frogg Toggs
If you’re going to be outside in the middle of the day, ditch your pride and wear Frogg Toggs. Get them wet with hot water first to make them flexible, then dunk them in frigid water. We keep a jug of water in the fridge just for our frogg toggs.
Pants vs Shorts
I’ve read so many places that wearing long, light colored, lightweight clothing is better than shorts / short sleeves. I’ve only found this to be true if you’re going to be in direct sun. This clothing shades your skin from the harsh, hot sun.
But if I’m going to be outside for over five minutes in the summer, I’m seeking out shade. Shorts and T-shirts feel better in the shade. Long sleeves and pants trap heat and I’ll find myself hiking up even my widest, most lightweight pant legs to give my calves some air. Since I’m seeking shade anyway, it’s better to let my limbs breathe. Sunscreen up, though. That’s important.
Wide Brim Hat
We go on walks at all times of day in the summer. You need a wide brim hat to get that sun off your face and neck.
Car Stuff
Windshield Shades
Not even half the population of my city uses windshield shades. It blows my mind. It’s either these or wear an oven mitt to hold your steering wheel. Get the shades that are unattached and the correct size for your windshield. Or cut up the attached ones, like I did. Don’t worry, you’ll get better at the folding part. I’ve put these up and down thousands of times quick as a whip.
Sunglasses
I’ve worn sunglasses while driving since I was a teenager. Justin never did until we met. Now, we’re so used the luxury of not squinting in agony that if either of us walk outside to take out the trash, we’re throwing on a pair of sunglasses.
Bonus Tip: Black or blue tinted sunglasses make the world look “cooler”. Brown tinted sunglasses make it look warmer and thirstier, but those red rocks sure do stand out.
Water Bottle
Take your water bottle everywhere, especially if you have kids. I know you’re like, “Safety yes, very good.” But no. It’s sanity. Your kid will all-of-a-sudden remember they’re actually dying of thirst once they’re 100% buckled up.
Emergency Water
I buy a one or two gallon bottle of water at the store each Spring and leave it in the back of my car. Make sure it has a screw-on lid, so it doesn’t spill. If you’re stuck in freeway traffic for 3 hours, then that hot, probably plastic-infused nasty water will be your saving grace. I’ve heard too many stories of people stuck on the road for hours in 110º heat with only a couple swallows of water.
I’ve never found myself in that situation, but I have busted out my emergency water out at the park when the fountains were down or if someone needed to get cleaned up.
Sunscreen
Keep a bottle of sunscreen in the car. Just be careful opening it as it may be hot and runny.
Squeeze Tube of Sunscreen Lip Balm
Nothing says Desert Noob like leaving a regular tube of chapstick in the car in July. Good luck with that grease stain on your upholstery. Now go buy a SPF chapstick with a screw on lid. My favorite are the Carmex Minis.
Bonus Tip: Wedge it into the AC vent for a minute or two before using, so it doesn’t squirt hot grease everywhere.
Shade
Beach Umbrella
If you’re hitting the lake, you’ll want shade. We use a canopy or a beach umbrella. A shade tent traps the hot air and doesn’t breathe well. Save that one for a chilly wind at the ocean beach.
Beware of microbursts of wind at the beach. I’ve seen multiple umbrellas and canopies tumble across the water. If you check the dumpster at the beach, you’ll sometimes find mangled canopies inside. Hot wind and cool water do strange things. Secure your shade accordingly.
Shade your stuff
If nothing else, throw a towel or a shirt over your flip flops, phone, and water bottle at the pool or beach.
Plant a Tree
After summer is over, like “over over”, plant a tree if you need one. Make sure you’ve got an automated watering system in place. The desert heat is relentless if you forgot to hand water a couple days in a row. On that note, don’t even think about planting a tree between May – September.
Bonus Tip: Trees grow. Look up the mature size of the tree. It’s a few bucks to plant a tree, but it can be a few thousand to remove a big ol’ tree that was planted in the wrong spot.
Kids Summer Vacation
Water Jug for the Kids
In a perfect world when the kids play outside: all five children would get thirsty at the same time, come inside together, close the front door immediately, and use the same water cup every time.
But this is the a fallen world. To prevent all our cold AC air from running wild around the neighborhood, we often bring out a big jug of ice water and cups with names. Then, we tell them they can only come in the house through the garage door (It self-closes). As a reminder, we lock all the other entrances. You know you’ve done it.
Water Play
In the heat of the day, if you want to play outside, water should be involved. We’re in a severe drought, so I can’t just turn on the sprinklers and let the kids run wild for hours, I have to get creative on how to incorporate a little or reusable water into play. It’s never enough, but here are a few we do:
Splash Pads, neighbors’ pools, public pool, local reservoirs, ice painting on the sidewalk, misters around the trampoline, slip n slide.
And to be honest, we just really play a lot of video games on the 105º+ days in the summer.
Find a Mountain
Sometimes, you just gotta get away. Take a trip to the mountains, even if it’s only for a few hours. We will plan a picnic or two where it’s 20º cooler and at least one day trip or a weekend where its 35º cooler.
Last year, we planned five camping trips to the mountains. We borrowed 90% of our camping gear from neighbors and family and slept in a tent.
It was nothing fancy, but I’m telling you, it was the biggest game changer for my mental health in the summer. Travel to a place cold enough to pull on a flannel in July and tell me it doesn’t immediately change you for the better. I dare you.
Dream
I wasn’t kidding about looking up mountain homes. When I’m at my wits end, I will plan a month-long trip to North Pole, Alaska for next summer. I’ve picked out the perfect AirBnb. Or I’ll research what it’s like to live in Montana and check out some Zillow listings. Have I ever actually followed-through with these? No, but it’s nice to know there are other options out there.
Problems I still need solved:
Cicadas
As if the heat weren’t enough reason to stay inside. Those blasted ear-piercing cicadas. I made the mistake of looking up how to deal with cicadas last year and found out that they’re nowhere near 1/10th as bad here and they are further east. Yikes.
Although, I still believe there could be a frequency or a smell or something that we could emit that would shoo them to a tree a couple blocks away. Holler if you want more ideas for a third-grade science project.
The Perfect Clothing Fabric
Every year I’m on a quest for the most breathable, summer-friendly outfit. I’m thinking it has to be a dress or jumpsuit of some sort. But the fabric would have to be airy and breathable without being see-through or prone to holding odor. And a wrinkly linen just sounds like too much work. Hit me with your ideas.