BLOG

Keep Cool Outdoors in Summer Heat!

The summer heat dome has arrived in Texas a bit early this year. Our hearts go out to everyone to the north and east who had to keep company with it last week. At least we're more-or-less prepared for it here. The return of the heat dome sent us off to liberate some of our hot weather gear from the closet, and we thought we'd share some of these items with you in case you're looking for ways to cope.

Whole Earthlings are all about enjoying time outdoors. During the summer we tend to keep to early morning and early evening hours. Not only is it more pleasant, but it's also better for our four-footed companions. Sidewalks and streets can be far too hot for dog paws not to mention us!

Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Dog Harness

To be sure that our canine companions don't overheat, we're partial to a Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Cooling Dog Harness. The harness has cooling panels on the back and on the chest and belly. All we have to do is wet the harness and evaporation takes care of the rest. Should the panels dry out before we reach home or a cool spot, we'll use a water bottle or a quick dip in a body of water to refresh the harness's cooling capacity. The harnesses come in a variety of sizes and have strong leash points, a quick grab handle and are adjustable

Kafka Kool Tie

Alas, we don't have a cooling harness for humans, but we do have a Kafka Kool Tie which works on the same principle. Our necks can be super sensitive to heat and cold. That's one reason why many people wear turtlenecks in the winter. The Kool Tie is a bandana for our necks and uses the same principle of evaporative cooling as the Swamp Cooler for dogs. For first time use, we hydrate it for 30 to 45 minutes making sure the crystals are spread out. When hydrating is finished, we let it hang for five minutes or so. When wearing the Kool Tie we leave some room for airflow and periodically rotate the outer edge toward the neck. Rewet as needed. Please don't store a Kool Tie in plastic! It's a recipe for mildew. We hang it up where it can dry with good airflow.

The Swimming Holes of Texas 

In Austin, we're lucky to have beloved swimming holes, like Barton Springs, close at hand. At times when we get the urge to take a summer road trip, The Swimming Holes of Texas helps us plan for outdoor adventures that can end with a refreshing plunge into cool clear water. The book describes 100 Texas swimming holes in detail. Information includes a description of the swimming experience, the history and ecology of the site, admission fees, hours, parking, and amenities like restrooms and showers as well as pointing out places that are family and dog friendly. The book is divided by region so it's easy to plan a summer tour of the best Texas swimming holes. Not in Texas? Use your favorite search engine to find swimming holes close to you.

YETI Rambler 26oz Water Bottle Agave Teal

One of the most important rules for living successfully in very hot weather is to hydrate! If you're normally a water sipper, take it from Texans, you need to drink multiple bottles of water when you're dealing with heat. One way to make this easy is to use an insulated water bottle. These bottles can keep our water cold and help keep our system hydrated and refreshed. We sell a variety of insulated bottles, but we have to give a tip of the hat to YETI. In our unofficial survey, they keep drinks colder longer. They also periodically offer seasonal colors for a limited time. This beauty is Agave Teal and comes in various sizes. Kick the plastic bottle habit. The planet already has way too much plastic. And for those who don't like handwashing reusable water bottles, good news! YETI bottles can be cleaned in a dishwasher unlike other insulated bottles.

Kelty Sunshade with Side Wall

If you've driven with a Texan who's in search of a parking spot, you may notice that we are usually on the lookout for a shady parking space. Shade is another important factor in dealing with hot weather. A shady porch with a nice breeze is always pleasant. However, if our adventures take us farther afield to places where there is little or no shade, we bring it with us! A Kelty Sunshade with Side Wall provides an escape from the sun. The photo at the top shows the Sunshade in action. It has a moveable wall that can block the sun or the wind as needed. The Sunshade is made for sitting and enjoying the sound of surf or a cheerful river. We pack the sunshade along with our camp chairs and beach towels so we enjoy time in the water and time in the shade.  We're so sorry. The Sunshade is sold out at the moment.

Yucatan Hammock aka Hamacas Rada

And if you have that shady porch or some cooperative trees in the yard, we highly recommend a Yucatan hammock or Hamacas Rada. There are few things as cool and relaxing as stretching out for a restful read and snooze in a breezy hammock. We’ve been selling handmade Yucatan hammocks for 50 years. They’re colorful, strong and made for sleeping in a very hot and humid climate, so they can keep you cool here in Texas and anywhere you want to kick back and take a load off. The hammock forms a web that conforms to your body providing gentle support and great stability. And Hamacas Rada can be hung indoors as well as outside. Think of it as an extra guest bed should the need arise.

So these are a few suggestions for keeping cool when spending time outdoors in hot weather. We have a lot of experience dealing with the heat and hope you'll find these recommendations useful.