The southwest desert in the summertime: triple digit temperatures, sidewalk egg-frying competitions, sunburns galore, swimming, (among other things).....
In my limited travels across the United States, I've learned enough about the weather in those areas to know where I like it best. Arizona.
But the hardest part of the summertime here (for me) is when the humidity reaches bath towel stage; otherwise known as the monsoon season. Reminds me of Alabama. Wake up fresh in the morning, showered, hair set, and dry. Then you step outside your front door, unlock the car and get in, and, surprise, you need another shower!
However, there is a positive side to the heat (unbelievably): the humidity is actually good for your skin and lungs. As uncomfortable as it is to be out in (once you've been used to the dry heat), its nice to breathe in moist air. Both in the heat and in the cool, higher humidity means adding lacking moisture to our bodies. That's why it's so important to take water bottles with you everywhere you go. Dehydration is pretty common, but can be avoided by drinking not just juices, but plain ol' water.
And the moisture really treats skin kindly. The big thing in any part of the country is a summertime tan. But as dry and leathery as skin can become, it's really refreshing to be in a high humidity area. You can feel the moisture soak into your skin. It's great! The combination of high (and I mean really high) heat and humidity is what sometimes throws me off when I walk outside and start dripping after three minutes! I have to remind myself that it's good.....really good!
So, there is a good side to high temperatures in the summertime: the humidity rolls in.
