Just Add Water

With my family and many of our friends back on the East Coast, I’ve heard the question time and time again. When the summer temperature creeps up into triple digits and pushes even further, hitting 112, 114, 116, people ask us in disbelief, “How do you do it?”

The answer: Just add water. Only in Arizona can you shiver in 105 degrees, stepping out of the pool and into the sun. The water evaporates so quickly, it’s a bizarre sensation feeling cold in such extreme heat, but without water our summers would be sure to leave us in a puddle. Here are a few of our favorite ways to keep cool:

Splash Pads
With a variety of amazing splash pads and parks to choose from in the East Valley, we’ve got splashing down to a science. I pack snacks, water shoes and hats and leave the towels at home. Ten minutes on the dry playground after splashing and they’re ready for the ride home!

Swimming
The pool is the easiest and most convenient way for many of us Arizonans to deal with the sweltering summer. Arizona has the largest number of pools per capita of any state in the country. We’re lucky enough to live just a few doors down from our neighborhood’s community pool and we visit often!

Lakes, Rivers & Creeks
It wasn’t until we were socially distancing that we truly discovered the state’s trove of lakes, rivers and creeks, offering water sports, fishing and other activities. Our favorites are Saguaro and Canyon lakes, the Salt River, and day trips to Oak Creek in Sedona or Horton Creek near Payson.

This week, we’re getting into triple digits with none of those digits being zero. That’s when water is absolutely essential, both on and in. We’ll be taking plenty of sips- and dips- from now until the fall!