Making Plans for Summer

It’s mid-March and yes, I’m already thinking about summer. I live in Austin and it gets blazingly hot in summer here. I mean, this weekend we’re supposed to be close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C)! So we’re already wondering how hot this summer is going to be.

And you know, I love to travel. I love getting out somewhere I have never been before and exploring. It makes me very present in the moment. How often do we just stumble our way through life thinking of the next thing, rather than whatever’s right in front of us? When I travel, the only important thing is what’s in front of me, right then, at that moment.

But you know, with a history of melanoma, I’m also thinking about where can I go to escape the brutal summer heat and particularly, the strong Texas sun. I’d like to go some place northerly where it’s not unusual for someone to wear capris and a long sleeve shirt. A place that a cute little hat isn’t going to cause me to sweat buckets and drench my scalp. And there is the all-important consideration, where can I go that I can cross an undiscovered state or province or even country off my wish list.

I have been to a lot of the United States, mostly because I was really lucky that I have had jobs that allowed to me to travel for business. And of course, I try to squeeze as much exploration in as I can, even staying over the weekend to roam a bit further. At this point, I only have a few states left that I haven’t been to yet – Alaska, Delaware, Vermont, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington.

Looking at that list, I’m seeing northerly states that fit my wish list for a cooler summer sojourn. I am fascinated by geology and it’s practically criminal that I’ve never been to Yellowstone. (I grew up in a very low-income, working class family… we did not pile into the car for 2 week driving trips around the United States on summer break; I think that’s why I’m trying to make up for lost time now…)

I know I’m not the only one that worries about trying to have a normal time outdoors but still be sun-smart. Escaping to a water park or to the beach or even floating the rivers around here are the surefire ways people use to beat the heat. But those options force me into a bathing suit (something I’m never comfortable in to begin with) and expose a lot of skin. The rash guard shirts (and yes, I did finally purchase one!) are great to keep the sun off but can get incredibly warm. So, escaping to the north might be a better option than just hiding in the AC and whatever patch of shade I can find, right?