August in the Az Desert
Embracing an Arizona August
We are now in the 2nd half of August in the Arizona desert. Most people in the country are looking at fall approaching and some are even beginning to decorate for the autumn beauty that is about to arrive. But for those of us living in the desert SW, we are just now in the middle of summer. Fall is not around the corner. As much as I try to will it to be, it just isn't. Living in the Az desert means living with heat, and not just any kind of heat but an extreme heat. We can still reach 115 degrees this time of year. The monsoon season is here and generally runs through September. With the monsoons upon us that means added moisture which makes the heat feel even more intense. We haven't had a very active monsoon but the summer isn't over yet. We desert inhabitants enjoy a good monsoon storm.
Most of you know I am not a fan of heat and my dream is to move northern Arizona as the effects of heat are becoming more of a health concern the older I get. Even in the A/C I feel the underlying heat. Some people say oh it's just a dry heat. Those are people who have never lived here. That dry heat is intense, relentless and deadly. The summers are brutal here so it takes a special breed to enjoy it and even embrace it. In fact, if you live here it just makes it worse to complain and in order to thrive you do need to acclimate and adjust life accordingly. It must actually be embraced. So how does one enjoy living in the desert, in the heat of summer?
First of all, early mornings and later eves are the best time for any sort of outdoor activities like hiking. The other option are indoor activities. Exploring shopping malls to do some walking, testing out restaurants or just plain window shopping and people watching can always be a fun adventure. There are usually movie theatres inside and even entertainment.
Another good activity is to stay cool by checking out the local library. I love visiting my local library as they not only have books to check out but they have a cafe, a book store and classes one can join in on.
Museums are another fun activity and there are many here in the Valley of the Sun. a favorite of mine is the Arizona Museum of Natural History. The dinosaurs are so much fun to see. It can take a full day of exploration to complete so come prepared. They do have a cafe and store so one can just take their time and enjoy.
Many enjoy swimming pool activities, again it is preferred during mornings or eves. We have many at my complex who do midnight swims all the time. There are some good discounts if you wait until the later afternoon.
The best planting season for the desert climate is fall. So gearing up for that is something to look forward to. Check out some books at the library on which plants are best for the area and how to take care of them.
August def requires a strategic approach to managing heat. Some simple tips are changing schedule times for activities, prioritizing hydration, adjusting times in the sun and appreciating the monsoon storms.
Of course hydration is paramount. Dehydration can occur quickly and without even realizing it.
As for sun protection , it is good to wear lightweight, light colored , loose fitting clothing to protect against the sun's intense rays. Also, a wide brimmed hat is essential to shade your head, face and neck. Of course, Az is very casual so just about anything goes and all is forgiven when it comes to oppressive heat.
Early mornings (like 5 am )is are the best time to engage in any outdoor activity. That saying "early to bed and early to rise" surely is practiced here if you want to spend time outside.
It's also important to know the signs of heat illness. Never leave children or pets in a car. They will die! Keep your car parked under shade if possible and use a sun shade. The heat is hard on cars too!
Most importantly, to embrace the desert environment you HAVE to adjust the mindset. You have to accept that August is prob the hottest month of the year and life will be spent indoors. One thing many Phoenicians do in summer is visit a place in higher elevations. Little Trips for a cooler climate will enable you to get outside and regroup.
A couple other tings to consider that aren't always thought about are being aware of the wildlife. Many venomous creature enjoy the heat and can be part of the wild life. Many venomous creatures enjoy the heat. Take precautions. And before visiting it is always good to read up on different creatures you could possibly encounter. Just be aware.
There is also a threat of power outages during an intense heatwave, and especially during a monsoon storm. Monsoon storms can produce high winds, strong lightning strikes and flooding .Again, be prepared. It is always smart to be prepared no matter what season it is. Here is a pic of a lightning strike during a monsoon storm right outside my home.
For me, I do not enjoy this time of year and it takes a lot to adjust the mindset. It does become a hibernation time. My fav way to enjoy an August is to get away! I love Arizna and I especially love it farther north in Prescott, Payson, Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams, Showlow, Pinetop, Heber and all points in between and even beyond. The list is endless and the beauty of northern Az in summer is remarkable. It is always important to understand the areas you visit because the monsoons are statewide and can bring a deadly flash flood so quickly that there may be no warning. But, camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, shopping, farmer's markets and own events are plentiful and there is never a shortage of things to enjoy. If you cannot get out of town, I suggest library trips, window shopping inside malls and even staycations where many times you can find a great summer deal at any number of the area resorts. There is no shortage of resorts to explore.
One of my favorite things to do while getting out of the heat is visit a lavender farm. There are many in northern Arizona but my fav is in Heber, Az called Windy Hills Lavender Farm.
I think I like it so much because it is close to my son and his family who live in Pinetop so it is easier to visit. It is right off the highway. The owners are so kind and just wonderful people. I use lavender to infuse my oils. I do not make essential oil but I infuse it with dried lavender and I much rather use Arizona lavender than any other kind. Because of my love for the state I like making products that are native to the state.
Don't forget to check out our facial oils. And besides our lovely gift packages we will soon include Arizona boho clothing.
Arizona is my home and I am a bit partial to it. Even though there are some def negatives to deal with, I would never live any place else. I love it here and plan to live out the rest of my life in this beautiful desert country. In my next blog I hope to share with you our 21 day wellness retreat called Rise Anew. It is my hope that many of you will become a part of the group to begin your journey of wellness living and I hope to share more with you about the beautiful benefits that come right from this desert oasis. Together we will strive to live a life that will promote health from the inside out. We will experience ups and downs together and do our best to become our best selves,
See you at the next post!