Keeping Kansas City Kewl

I grew up there and I can reassure you that during my tenure there, I remember some very hot and worse - humid summers.  Both parents had weathered all kinds of "bad" from their days in Kansas where they were brought up.

They dealt with scorching summers (and humidity which is the real villain) using various techniques.  Here are a few - reverse day and night by doing this - when night falls (as late as nearly 9 p.m.) open up the house as much as you can and this is where a steel security door is a life saver.  You can leave the wood door wide open and sleep like a baby.  What is disconcerting re them is that they are mounted with reverse screws and if you can't get to it in an emergency the firemen (and women; not slighting you, ladies) have to get out the Jaws of Life and take it off. If you have good neighbors, see if you can leave a key with them and pray they're at home if necessary.

When morning comes, close every window, draw whatever is being used for curtains, bamboo drop-down blinds, but you want to seal all of the cool air that you can inside.

Have to take a car trip?  I found this useful as I rode shotgun from Laughlin back home - brought along a smallish hand towel, soaked it in water, and draped it across my bare legs (shorts) until it dried out and repeated, as needed.

Shooting off-road races at Riverside International Raceway in 110+ heat, I gratefully accepted Richie's loan of his old white cotton sailors hat.  Again, soaked it in water and wore it.  It is critical to keep one's head out of the sun.  A straw cowboy hat is effective and you don't have to wet it, but you can store a wet washcloth under it.  Any breeze going up against a roaring temperature will benefit from the combination of wet cloth and air passing over it.  Side note, you need to drink a lot of water when you are outdoors on a very hot day.  At Riverside, I carried a half-gallon of water, drank it all gone and never had to pee.  That should give you an idea of the need for hydration.

But, speaking of hydration, never drink alcohol (beer, wine chillers) in a pool or sauna.  You will get the Hangover from Hell.  I speak from experience so listen up.  And have a cool day.   Hey!  Where's that hat?