Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Summer Time in the City

In William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, he says:

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.


Reading this might actually make you laugh.  Summertime is in full swing here in central Texas.  You can see it everywhere you look
--the kids playing on the street all day, the golden tans everwhere you look,  and the instant sweaty sheen you gets approximately THREE seconds after stepping outside.   A summer day here in San Antonio is anything BUT lovely and temperate.  Perhaps SUNNY and SCORCHING would be better words to describe this weather? 
 
Although it feels too hot to do anything besides lay in front of a fan or air conditioner (but don't move!), there are actually PLENTY of activities that you can do while keeping your cool.  San Antonio is a city full of diverse and fun activities.  Whether you are single, part of a pair, a family of eight or enjoying your retired years, there is something for you!  Here are a few great ideas for the remaining dog days of summer.
 
Do Some Stargazing
Each and every Wednesday, the San Antonio Astronomical Association holds Astronomy in the Park.  Head on over to McAllister Park with a blanket and a few favorite snacks.  Stretch out, enjoy the cool night breeze, and starting at sunset, you will learn all about, well...astronomy!   Could there be a more perfect backdrop to your evening than the beautiful Texas sky?  The event is free and open to the public.  Visit their website for more information: http://www.sanantonioastronomy.org/
 
Quench Your Thirst
Do you live in downtown SA (or like to go there)?  Head on over to The Friendly Spot, where the vibe is EXTREMELY laid back and, well...friendly.   There are well over a hundred icy brews for you to choose from to sooth your parched throat, and the small plates are yummy and cheap.  Bring your kids or your dog--humans and canines are equally welcomed at this local spot.  Also, they have a free movie night once a week.  Be warned though--there is NO indoor seating, so you might want to wait until evening if you are bringing the smaller members of your family. Visit their website for more information:
http://www.thefriendlyspot.com/
 
Take a Dip
Everytime you walk outside, it feels like you got sprayed with a hose.  Yes, you are sweating THAT much.  Forget trying to stay dry--just get  drenched on purpose.  If you don't have access to a neighborhood-specific pool, head on over to one of the many city pools!  San Antonio's pools are FREE and open to the public. http://www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/swimming_outdoor.aspx  Live in Shertz?  For a $1.50 a person, you can cool your jets all day long! http://schertz.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CityofSchertzPool2011.pdf

Tap Into Your Inner Picasso
Are you an art affectionado?  Head over to the San Antonio Museum of Art, where every Tuesday between 4:00PM -9:00PM, admission is FREE!  Here you can roam the galleries led by local artists and enjoy gallery talks and lectures, all while enjoying someone ELSE'S air conditioning.  It's a win-win.  Visit their website for more details: http://www.samuseum.org/museum-info/visitor-information

For the Little Ones
So the thought of taking the tiny members of your family to any of the above suggestions makes you feel overwhelmed.  Do you live in or near Schertz?  Check out the Schertz Public Library, where they have both Baby and Me Story Time AND Toddler Time every day at 10:00AM.  Have a pre-schooler?  Head over at 10:30AM for story time.  This is a great way to get out of the house and into some icy air conditioning, all while meeting other parents of youngsters.  In addition to the reading times, the library offers many other activities that are family friendly and FREE!  Check it out here: http://schertzlibrary.org/youth_services/weesit/index.php

No matter how you decide to spend your days this summer, here's hoping that you keep cool and enjoy every moment!

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