Showing posts with label pools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pools. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Weekend Assignment 327: It's Too Hot

Okay, this week I'm doing the assignment and I'm going to remember to leave a message on the Weekend Assignment page so they know I did it. Karen wants to know how we stay cool when the temperature gets high.

Summer is well underway now. If you live in the northern hemisphere, the days are long and the sun is on its way to being about as hot as it gets in your particular climate. How do you stay cool when the weather gets hot?

The best way for me to stay cool is to stay inside with the air conditioning cranked up. It may not be the most fun, but it's better than heatstroke. See, in the Chicago area when it gets hot, it gets humid. Those two combine to make a hot day unbearable very easily. I think just a few days ago the temperature was about 92 and the dew point was at 76. That's like rain forest type weather, without the rain. It wasn't a fun day. There's nothing quite like walking out of work into a wall of humidity, across a baking blacktop parking lot, then getting into a car that could cook and egg on the dash. Well, maybe walking across hot coals over an active volcano, but that would be stupid.

I know a lot of people like to go to a local pool to cool off, but that is not my idea of fun. Think about it, you're basically taking a both with 100 other people who may not have the same hygiene standards you do. I don't even want to think about the little kids in the pool. Having said that, I did put my disgusting thoughts aside for a weekend so we could take the kids to a water park a few weeks ago. Oh, the things we do for our kids.

So, in short, I stay indoors. It doesn't have to be in the house, just inside somewhere with air conditioning. A movie theater works!

Extra Credit: If you've ever relocated hundreds of miles to a new home, did the climate play a role in your decision to move?

I've never relocated for a job, but I've often wondered if it would be better to live in the Pacific Northwest. I know they have hot days, but I don't think they are as common.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

I'm back, baby!


The title has two meanings since we are back from our trip to Wisconsin Dells and Futurama is back on the air. More about Futurama later, we'll talk about me first. It's my blog, you know.

If you are not from Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa., Michigan or Minnesota you might not know what Wisoncsin Dells is. Well, it's "The Waterpark Capital of the World." Yes, it says so right here. Also, it's the only place I know of where you say the state before the city name. Well, except for maybe New York since you can never be sure which part people are talking about first. (Yes, I was reaching for that one).

We drove up there on Wednesday and left on Friday. That may sound like a short trip, but everyone I talked to that has been there says that is about right. I mean, how many times can you go to the pool and play? There is only so much chlorine and sunburn that the body can take.

We stayed at the Wilderness Resort. See, the bear cubs on the sign make it extra wilderness-y.



It was a decent place. They had tons of different pools and slides to play around in. Or, as we liked to do a lot, they had a few lazy rivers. Although they weren't quite as relaxing as they should be. You know how hard it is to get in a two person tube while your lightweight kid is in the front and there is a current trying to drag the tube away? Well, it's not all that easy. I have the scrapes to prove it. Yes, I'm a klutz. What can I say?

We never ate, or drank at this particular place, but I had to take a picture of the sign.


There were a lot of stuffed foxes and raccoons around on the ceiling of the various eating and drinking spots. Speaking of which, we went to one restaurant for dinner the first night and were delighted when they told us the kids eat free at the buffet if we ordered the buffet. We should have asked how much the buffet was first. Twenty bucks a person was a little steep for what was there. We were a little disappointed by that.

On the first night the guys hit the arcade while the girls went to the pottery place to paint something. Our daughter has told us several times she wants to be an artist, so we indulge here when we can. See, look at the mugs she painted. Aren't they nice?


On the second night, we were smart and went off property to eat dinner. This place called Moose Jaw Pizza and Dells Brewing was recommended by one of Jenn's co-workers. While the name doesn't exactly roll of the tongue, the food was good, the prices much better than the resort and they had their own beer. That was really good. But don't take my word for it, look at this car they have.


You know a place is going to be good if they go through all this trouble decking out their delivery car. Although, when I see the car, I think of something else on the moose and it's not the jaw.

We spent a few hours swimming the next morning, then headed back home. It's not a far drive for us; just under three hours, so it is quite manageable. Especially when one, or both, of the kids sleep most of the way.

One thing about the drive home. Wisconsin people tend to get miffed when people make fun of them as the land of cheese but when you drive home and see two cheese chalets, a giant mouse on top of a giant piece of cheese and several various other cheese huts, you kind of have to take it. Sorry, Wisconsin, but it's okay, you guys have some awesome cheese. Learn to accept it.

That was our longest road trip so far. I know, lame. But we go to Door County (Wisconsin again) for five days later this summer. That's about a five hour drive. That's something, right?

So, Futurama. You're watching it, right. It's on Comedy Central. So, go watch. Come on, I don't want it to be cancelled again. I'll give you candy.