My friends who live in more temperate areas of the country often ask me, “How can you stand the heat in the summer?”  I often respond, chuckling, with something like, “It’s really not THAT bad—it’s a dry heat.”  If you live here in Arizona you know what I mean.  (And Tucsonans are always at the ready to defend our precious Old Adobe.)   In the sun, in the middle of the day the heat is, well, searing.  But in the shade it’s quite bearable, even comfortable.  Here are a few things you can do to make the high and dry temperatures even more tolerable:  Create your own evaporative cooling by wearing a wet cloth around your neck…I know that sounds yucky, but it really works!  You can purchase one of these cooling devices at the drugstore.  It’s a neckerchief containing some kind of bead which, when wetted, retains moisture.  I keep mine in the fridge and take it with me when I know I’m going to be out in the heat (golfing, fishing, and gardening) for a long period of time.  Spray bottles filled with cool water offer another easy way to beat the heat outdoors.  You can buy these, again, at your local drugstore—I‘ve even seen some with little fans attached.  Lastly, to keep yourself hydrated, drink lots of water–before you are thirsty.

I love to play golf, and even though it’s hot in Tucson in the summer, the season has its advantages.  The snowbirds have gone home, so good tee times are available, as well as bargain green fees.  You can go to golfnow.com 24/7 to reserve and pay for tee times.  My husband, LJ, and I received a free round of golf at the new Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain course when we attended the Accenture Match Play in February.  We look forward to checking out the new links in one of Tucson’s newest luxury home communities.  You can review a couple of  luxury golf course properties, as well as other luxury homes on my website.

Tucson is a great place to enjoy year round–even when the temperature climbs to above 100 degrees.

Denise McCreary