Looking for Chicago: sizzling summers

Ahoy,

Summers in Chicago can get really, really hot. Sometimes I go outside and it feels like I'm wearing all of the clothes that I own + all of the clothes you own. And no matter how few articles or how little coverage I have on, it still feels like I'm wearing a whole thrift store of unwanted clothes. So how does one survive a summer in Chicago?

My smartest idea is probably to stay inside where it's air conditioned, and if you don't have air conditioning - you should really invest in it, because there is no way you are going to get by on sheer will. That never stopped mother nature, and I'm pretty sure you won't will yourself into sitting in a tub of ice all summer.

Some people might associate cabin fever with winter, but I find that it can happen in summer too. When you find this impending, I find that museums have excellent climate controlled facilities. Libraries are also great, but if you intend on staying to finish a book, you should bring a sweater. Other indoor things not only have air conditioning, but are educational - so as to keep your brain from inevitably rotting during the summer.

But if you're willing to brave the hot summer heat of a thousand suns, there are plenty of outdoor things you can do too. Beaches and water-parks are the optimal oases for summer cool-down activities. Many parks have water features that are great for splashing around. If you can't find any of these (which I highly doubt), going out in the morning or evening is a good time to catch your neighbors' sprinklers. Knowing (making) a friend with a pool is always an easy option.

blisteringly comfortable,
jt

Looking for Chicago: thunderstroms

Ahoy,

I love this weather feature that happens in the summer in Chicago. It doesn't only happen in Chicago, but it's a feature that is characteristic of summers in humid continental climates. During the days it might get hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk, but then there's these monster storms that come at night to cool everything off. The rain is torrential, there is lightning, there is thunder, there is golf ball sized hail. There is everything to signal the end of the world in some apocalyptic movie.

And when all is said and done, the sidewalk chalk has been washed off, some branches may have fallen, and your gutter may still be draining, but a sigh of relief falls upon the residents all across the city, a sigh of relief courses through the sun dried dirt of the urban gardens. And this is what happens in the summer.

But California has a mediterranean climate, which means there is no rain in the summer. Not a single drop. From March to October. Not a single drop. This is unacceptable. An absolutely unacceptable lifestyle. I refuse to participate.

markedly arid,
jt

Looking for Chicago: parks

Ahoy,

I can't tell you the exact numbers, but in my explorations it seems like I've found far fewer parks and playgrounds in California then in Chicago or New York. I'm sure people are happy in all of these places, so they must be getting their daily allotment of outside playtime in one form or another.

In my mind, I have found there to be 2 different categories of parks. The ones I find in New York and Chicago are more like urban playgrounds. There is usually a playground, water feature, benches, etc. The bigger ones have baseball, soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts. These are the ones I was accustomed to growing up. 

What I love about these parks is the concentration of energy they have. They become something like the best party thrower in the neighborhood. I love how you can feel the fun that lives in the neighborhood when you see kids running around and getting dirty and parents cheering on their childs' losing little league team, but it's okay because the team gets pizza even if they lose. I love that you can just call your friends up after dinner, before it has even digested, to go play tag at the park. I love how you get to know who the neighbors are by the sport they partake in. It's easy to never see your neighbor and you rarely need to interact unless your shrub is invading their property, but I love that everyone stops at the park. I love that people go outside and make eye contact - even if it is because your ball just interrupted their game. These are your neighbors, this is your neighborhood. 


Much to my surprise, a "park" was something totally different on Berkeley maps. A "park" meant a big forest that was more of a place for people to go hiking (get lost). Chalk it up to local vernacular. Not only are these large areas of woodland, they can be far away and require more effort to get to (ie. LA, which at first glance appears to have a ton of parks, but also require days to get to). The parks of my childhood were always within a stone's throw of people in the neighborhood, but in California it now seemed like an Olympic effort to get to the park. There needs to be a large chunk of your day that is free, and all your friends need to give you their day, and you need a bus or you need a car, and you need to pack food, because city girl that I am - I would not know where to even begin to forage outside of my snack pantry. 


As many differences as there are, I can see how you could appreciate their respective qualities all the same. It's always great to get away from the commotion of a city for an extended period of time - makes me appreciate the wildness of  the city that much more. You never know who you'll cross paths with in the woods - maybe you'll find friends from afar or someone to trade lunches with. Regardless of what is near or far from me, I never want to stop going outside. I never want to stop playing.

aptly amok,
jt