A Hard Freeze at the Peak of Summer

I just watched a short video on the fact of record heat this summer. Many people have complained about how it’s been so hot nearly everywhere in the U.S., though apparently the only place that has actually seen record numbers for summertime heat is Florida. This is according to statistics monitoring weather trends each year. I was surprised to hear it, because I thought I might be overly dramatizing my conversation around how stinking hot it has been in Florida. Turns out, I’m not quite the drama queen I thought I was. 😉

I was born and raised in South Texas and it is common to see summer temps in the triple digits for several months, but, somehow, Florida has managed to put Texas to shame in the how-hot-can-it-get-this-summer department. While the temps have been in the 90’s the humidity is so high it’s sending the heat into triple digits. I can handle triple digits, but, this actually feels like you’re wearing a heavy wet blanket everytime you step outside. That’s a hard pass for me. 

So, I’ve holed up in my comfortable air conditioned home for the last couple of months and passed up invites to the beach in the middle of the day. My tan is fading. First world problems, I know. But really, what we loved about Florida was the beauty and expanse of being outside. Before these temps set in we were at the beach at least twice a week, usually more and enjoying our own backyard as much as possible. This place has been a healing balm…until the balmy weather turned into the kind of extreme heat warning they post for anyone stepping into a sauna. 

At the beginning of August we headed out for adventure and a vacation. We were really excited about the chance to enjoy some mild tropical weather and get a little break from the sweltering heat. We were bound for Maui, Hawaii. 

August 7, we arrived on Maui with some of our family in tow.