I have finally met someone (well, here online at YLF) who is just like me! I hate summer, and don't enjoy too much sun. I moved from Vancouver to Colorado awhile back, and I was surprised to find that the endless sun sapped my energy. I'm not kidding - when the clouds rolled in, my energy and mood would totally perk up. I'm now in Utah - and right now, in summer, it's pretty darned bad.
Last week, there was one single day where it actually rained after something like 60 days with no measurable rainfall at all, and I was over the moon. My dog trainer picked up my doggie, and I was all excited about the rain. Went out, ran a few errands ( I wanted to dance in the streets in my bare feet!), and when dog trainer returned my doggie, I was in a good mood... because it was raining. He thought I was a little nuts for saying, "Isn't it great???" I was thrilled to have doggie come barreling into the house, totally wet and his fur all curled up. Love the dark skies, the grey storm clouds and the rain.
Sun just saps my energy and I must not be normal because too many sunny days in a row put me in a bad mood. When I moved to Colorado, my stepkids were surprised to hear me saying, "Stop with the sun..." and so on. They laughed.
When it's grey, foggy, windy and rainy - I'm at my happiest. Isn't that weird?
.....
In terms of 'what to do' - the only thing I can suggest (and I don't know if this is do-able, given your schedule and family situation) is getting up extra-early in the morning and throwing on your (hopefully stylish) yoga clothes and going straight outside for a walk before the sun comes up. Alternatively, I also recommend late night jaunts outside, at dusk - when the sky is not quite dark, but a beautiful purple-ish colour ....even if you don't go for a walk, definitely spend some time outdoors when it's *not* all blindingly sunny and hot. If that means sipping on a cup of chamomile tea or having a glass of wine at 10pm out on your deck, then so be it. I *love* the outdoors and the more time I spend in the woods, under the sky, the happier I am.
Speaking of which - I am not sure exactly where you are...but if you happen to be in the Vancouver area, I would highly recommend seeking out forested parks and trails instead of the beach or pools that are under the hot sun. So, for example, instead of Kits Beach pool, you'd head to Bridgeman Park in North Vancouver, and be totally shaded and cool amongst the towering trees. Just as much fun and way more beautiful - just not directly under the blazing sun. Also good is a place like Seymour Demonstration forest or Lynn Headwaters park way up in upper Lynn Valley. Lynn Canyon is also a good place to go - very shaded and cool. Deep, dark and green.
Pack up a fun picnic lunch or pick something up along the way and head to Rice Lake in the Seymour Demonstration forest in North Vancouver. If you're not on the North Shore, and if this is off the beaten path for you - just leave by 2pm and you'll be back home before the worst of rush hour hits.
When it's that hot and sunny, you want to be in the forest - preferably a super-mossy, old-growth, emerald green one. The time to 'hit the beach' when it's too hot and sunny is when the sun goes down. The Pacific Northwest has the longest and most beautiful sunsets anywhere.
That's another option - a picnic dinner at the beach (late-ish) followed by just hanging out and watching the sunset. It'll be cooler than mid-day. Husband or partner can peel off work clothes, change into comfy beach clothes, everyone can head to the beach and have a simple dinner. Play in the ocean a bit...and then enjoy the sunset. That way, people still feel like it's "summer" and get their beach time, but without it requiring sitting there during the hottest, sunniest part of the day.
I used to come home from work, peel off my work clothes, change into casual, comfortable stuff and walk to Kits beach. I'd hit the Safeway at 4th and Vine...grab some french bread, some cheese, some fancy sliced meats or salame from the deli and continue on down to the beach. I'd stop at Starbucks for an iced decaf or other fussy beverage. I'd plunk my bare feet deep into the sand and just *relax*. I might walk along the ocean's edge, letting the waves lap at my ankles. I usually had a good book with me too, or a journal of some kind.
This might be a really nice way to "hit the beach" with your family, without being there at like noon, in the blazing sun...broiling and feeling miserable and irritated.
If not in the Vancouver area - the same still holds true - seek out forested areas, instead of beaches and pools that are directly under the sun. It'll be just as much fun for the kids. Go the beach at supper time or after supper and watch the sun go down. Go "camping" or "hiking" in the woods during the hot summer days.
Just because it's what normal people do - there's nothing saying you have to go to the beach in the middle of the day, in the height of summer. Look for some forested areas. Have a picnic lunch...and enjoy the cool shade of tall evergreen trees.
Go somewhere else tomorrow - some place cooler, greener and woodsy-er. It's still summer - just more like 'camping' or hiking in the woods instead of parking yourself at the beach or pool.
In spirit,
VC.
