Vegas warming

Yesterday was the hottest day in Vegas history, as recorded at McCarran airport, a sizzling 117 degrees. Of course, McCarran is cooler than other parts of the county. Our house stays reasonably cool. We have shade from old trees; I installed insulating blinds last year that go down as soon as the sun hits the windows; we don't open the door unless necessary and we try to stay indoors after 11 a.m.

This morning as I went to the garage to grab some bird feed, it was already hot by 8:30 a.m. According to my thermometer, it was over 100 degrees already. It is time for the summer desert hibernation where we sleep until 2 p.m., then stay up at night watching movies. But hot is hot.

Around 7 p.m. last night, we decided to walk downtown for some dinner -- it is only about 5 blocks. The air felt like we were being hit with a flamethrower. Normally, that is to be expected when the sun strikes the skin on a blazing summer day, but when the rays are gone, one expects a little break in the heat.

My advice: stay indoors during the day, drink plenty of water, keep the shades drawn to reduce your electricity consumption and read a good book. Eventually, it will cool down.