Water worlds:
With the summer heat rising, here are some ideas for staying cool on a budget.
So far, this summer is sizzling. The Farmers’ Almanac suspected it would be a scorcher with temperatures hotter than normal throughout most of the season and so far their prognostication is on point. June was warmer than average in the Albany area and July is edging toward oppressive.
As a kid, keeping cool on hot, muggy days meant getting creative. We’d skip through an oscillating sprinkler, fabricate our own backyard water slide wetting down taped-together tarps or put a hose atop our metal playset slide and plunge into a kiddie pool at the bottom.
The summer of COVID-19 is forcing us to come up with clever ways to cool off, once again.
The virus has forced the closure of many public pools, sprinkler pads and water parks - or at the very least significantly reduced capacity - so chilling down is as challenging as trying to shop for a swimsuit when fitting rooms are closed. On top of that, there is no seeking refuge at air-conditioned indoor facilities, like malls, libraries and movie theaters, which are still closed.
Don’t sweat it. There are still plenty of ways to find relief from the heat.
You could take the money plunge and install a backyard pool. We did, though we planned to add a pool long before coronavirus led the evening news. Take it from me, you’ll spend a small fortune. And, if you aren’t already on someone’s schedule, you’ll likely be taking your first dip when the autumn leaves fall as sales have surged and most installers are booked solid.
So, what are some other, more costsaving ways to stay cool? Take a look.
Public pools
Restrictions are easing as New York continues to reopen. Several public pools in the Capital Region are open, although again, capacity is currently capped at 50%. The Victoria Pool and Peerless Pool Complex at Saratoga Spa State Park are both open. Visitors will be required to sign in with contact information in case the need for contact tracing should arise. The town of Clifton Park’s Barney Road and Country Knolls pools are open as is the town of Guilderland’s Tawasentha Park pool. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Proper operation and disinfection of pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds should kill the virus that causes COVID-19.” See this Shopportunist column at timesunion.com/living to see a complete list of public pools.
Beaches and falls
New York’s state parks are open, including public beaches at Moreau Lake, Thompson’s, Grafton and Cherry Plains, with restrictions. You can also explore some of the region’s refreshing waterfalls, like Shelving Rock Falls in Fort Ann along Lake George, Lye Brook Falls in Manchester, Vt.,
Bash Bish Falls in Massachusetts and Copake Falls, Columbia County. Just be safe and mind postings.
Tubing and rafting
Cruise down a crisp waterway in a river tube or white water raft. Adirondack Adventure Center in Lake Luzerne offers a two and a half to three-hour lazy river tubing adventure near Lake George with prices ranging from $24-$31 a person. The more adventurous can whoosh down the Sacandaga River in a raft. Battenkill Valley Outdoors in Cambridge offers canoe, kayak, tube and raft rentals. Look for money-saving coupons and voucher deals on Groupon.com and Localflavor.com.
Sprinklers
It’s pretty grass-roots, but you can easily haul out a sprinkler and let the kids run through or stand there and let it pelt you with bracing bursts of cold water. Home improvement stores offer basic garden sprinklers, including oscillating, rotating and stationary models. There are plenty of kid-friendly options like a giant inflatable unicorn (which you cn find at acehardware. com) that shoots water from its horn or squishy, inflatable splash pads that spray water about.
Kiddie pools
Hardly posh but practical enough, kid-size pools are a hot commodity these days for their portability and low cost. They range from basic, round and plastic to fancy and inflatable with slides and sprays. Some mimic princess castles and Amazonian jungles. There are even blow-up options large enough to fit a family of four.
Water balloons
Create an epic battle and cool down at the same time with water-filled balloons. Decades ago it could take half a day to fill a few dozen balloons. Now, there are contraptions that affix to a faucet and fill 100 balloons in a minute, like one made by Bunch O Balloons and available at Party City, so you’ll be slinging soaking bombs in seconds.
Inflatable, at-home water slides
A far cry from the makeshift, skinsearing water slides we Macgyvered in the ‘80s, the gargantuan inflatable models you can rent locally will make you the envy of the block, at least for a day. Prices range from $200 to $350 or more for a one-day rental but it’s a fun - and refreshing - way to celebrate a special occasion. Pool together a few bucks and with friends or family members to save. Locally, there are several companies, including Bounce Around, Jumping Bean and C.W. Whalen and Sons that offer a variety of rental options.