It's Getting Hot In Here

by Crystal Coons
May 21, 2003

There isn't much to do when the temperatures hit 105 degrees. You don't want to go hiking, you don't want to walk around, but you most definitely don't want to stay inside. Every day is a beautiful day with our boundless blue skies and endless amounts of sun. So, what is a girl to do on such a day, a Tuesday no less, when the sky is pure blue and the sun is calling?

You put on your suit, grab your favorite towel and your matching flip flops and you head out to your savior: the pool.

I surfed over to the Arizona Paths

Arizona Paths	(air-i'-ZON-u' paths)
The Most Complete All-About-Arizona website.

weather section and checked out the high for the day. 105 degrees, the highest of the season to date. I decided that I was going to get an early start on my swimming this year. I browsed through my hundreds of Mp3's, dreaming up what would make the perfect lounging music CD. After choosing 20 some odd songs to create what was, in my mind, the perfect summer CD, I put on my suit, grabbed my favorite Care Bears towel, threw on my pink and orange flip flops and walked over to my community pool. As soon as I stepped foot outside, my skin was instantly heated. I picked the perfect lawn chair, facing the pool and began to soak up the sun.

The vibrantly green grass danced under the command of the soft breeze. I watched as it rocked back and forth, and through my hair. No amount of breeze, however, could cool off my skin, as I had been sitting in the sun for close to half an hour. Beads of sweat trickled down the side of my face as my foot bopped to the music of the new Kelly Clarkson single, in tune with the swaying palm trees. And then, I couldn't take it anymore.

My skin was so hot, I had to relieve it. I got up, walked to the edge and took a deep breath. I stuck one foot out, and before I knew it, I was submerged in six feet of water. I stayed under as long as I could, before coming up for air. I did my now daily routine of laps, and then, after being totally cooled off, I retreated back to my towel and lawn chair. My skin had turned a bright shade of pink, and I knew it was too late for me; I was sun-burnt.

I gathered my gear and walked back to my air conditioned house. My little time in the sun was enough to make my day. Although, that night, I learnt a wonderful and very important lesson that I believe everyone should know and follow: wear sun-block.

Your back will thank you for it; and your shoulders, and your nose, and your legs, and your arms.