It’s the middle of June and here in the Valley of the Sun we’re in the hottest streak of the year thus far – temps above 110 and an intense, merciless sun. Back home in New England, these would be the days to celebrate, as the days are the longest of the year. I always found it difficult to understand how, just as you’re starting to ease in summer, it wouldn’t be long before the days start getting shorter. Oh sure, you don’t notice it at first, and you go through plenty of summer before you even start noticing the difference, but it still is amazing to think that we’re at the longest days of the year and there’s still so much heat to go.

Unless you live out here it’s hard to convey to people just what it’s like when the temperatures get this hot. All I can equate it to is those times in the middle of a New England winter when you get that streak of frigid, below-zero days and everyone stays indoors. It’s kind of the same thing here, except the reason why no one goes out is because it’s so freakin’ hot. It still amazes me to pass by golf courses in the middle of a bright, sunny summer afternoon and see them green and welcoming, yet empty of golfers.

Of course, this time of year is nice for late-night swims once the temperatures drop back to the ’90s and high ’80s (although when your pool temperature is 90 or more, while you can’t exactly call it refreshing, you can call it wet!).

Hard to believe we’re still a good month away from our monsoon season where it’s not only as hot as it is now, but you get that little rise in the humidity that really makes it oppressive and uncomfortable. People don’t live in this part of Arizona for the summers, that’s for sure.

Nevertheless for the folks in the more northern climes, these are the days to celebrate – the longest days of the year.