It’s the middle of June and temperatures are slowly rising after a disappointingly rainy spring season, a sign that summer may finally be on its way.
But with the bliss of longer daylight hours, barbecues and flip-flops comes scorching heat that can be hard to escape (not that we’re complaining).
When temperatures are hard to tolerate, consider the following tips from local “cool” experts in your search for relief from the sun.
A creamy retreat
Ice cream is a tried-and-tested trick for cooling down when temperatures climb high into the double digits.
Sheila McKinlay, owner of Big Dipper Ice Cream in Okotoks, recommended her own unique mango gelato and lemon sorbet creation as a refreshing escape from sweltering heat.
“It’s very refreshing,” she said. “It’s what I turn to on a really hot day.”
Not only is gelato and sorbet a lighter alternative to heavy ice cream, but it’s also a healthier alternative.
“It’s sinless,” said McKinlay. “Because there’s no dairy and no fat in them, they’re very low in calories. It’s pure fruit with just a little bit of sugar to sweeten it.”
For almost 10 years, Big Dipper Ice Cream has been one of the go-to hotspots for Okotoks’ ice cream eating population.
Serving a variety of flavours from Foothills Creamery — including some with tempting names like Wet Paint, Leapin’ Lizard, and Roly Poly — Big Dipper is located in a quaint home along tree-lined McRae Street in Okotoks.
The large leafy trees provide a further escape from the heat of a summer day, said McKinlay.
On the really hot days, McKinlay said there is never a shortage of customers. In fact, she once counted more than 300 on one particular scorcher, some who have traveled all the way from Edmonton just for her ice cream.
When regular ice cream just won’t do, Marv’s Classic Soda Shop in Black Diamond offers a one-of-a-kind fizzy frozen treat not sold anywhere else in the world.
“Carbonated ice cream is much lighter and has more summery flavours that aren’t quite as sweet as regular ice cream,” said owner Marv Garriott.
Garriott recommended his Dragon Blood carbonated ice cream flavour, a swirl of coconut and strawberry mixed together, as his go-to choice to escape from summer heat.
“The lemon-lime is pretty popular too,” he added.
For more daring diners, Garriott also offers an ice cream flavour called Sarsaparilla, an ingredient made from the roots of a tree native to Central America.
“It’s an interesting flavour,” said Garriott. “It’s got a bit of a medicine flavour to it, but it’s also a bit like root beer.”
A splash of water
Three-year-old Okotoks resident Lara Gibson has the perfect solution to escaping from the summer heat: water.
Lara and her dad Simon spent a recent Sunday afternoon soaking up the sunshine while cooling down at the Water Spray Park beside the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
“The sun made an appearance, so it’s really nice,” said Simon.
Not only a refreshing summer activity, the spray park provides hours of entertainment for young ones.
Although Lara was feeling under the weather the day before, the fun of the spray park proved to be the cure to lift her spirits, said Simon.
Awaiting the sporadic sprays of water, Lara’s face lit up repeatedly as she erupted into fits of giggles, surprised by the forceful spray from the colourful structures.
“It makes me happy,” said Lara. “I like water, and I love the park.”
As the spray park was only built last year, Simon said they haven’t spent much time there yet.
“But we’ll be coming here more through the summer for sure,” he said.
If the temperatures call for more than just a spritz of water, the Okotoks Recreation Centre has a multi-lane indoor swimming pool. Dr. Lander Memorial in Turner Valley has an outdoor swimming pool bustling with activity on hot summer days as well.
A dip in the Sheep River or a visit to Crystal Shores Beach House (if you are a resident of Crystal Shores, Crystal Ridge or Crystal Green) provides an equally refreshing escape.
Air-conditioned buildings
Don’t have a basement or a fan to cool down? Spending the day in an air-conditioned building could be the only solution.
Fortunately, the Okotoks Recreation Centre and the Okotoks Public Library offer extensive programming to keep families busy during the summer months.
“We are air-conditioned, so if people want to get out of the heat they can come here with their kids and just sit down and read,” said library program coordinator Lara Grunow. “We have a lovely facility that has nice and comfy chairs, and a beautiful view of the river.”
One of the programs offered this summer is the TD Summer Reading Club, where children can drop in without pre-registration for two hours of stories and games. For a full schedule, visit the Okotoks Public Library or call 403-938-2220.
Once the children are keeping themselves busy with books, an ice-cold beer on a patio is hard to beat for parents as the best adult-appropriate way to beat the heat.
