Summer Days Exploring Trails

Summertime is filled with no school, long days, sunshine, and finding COOL things to explore. Texas heat has made this summer a scorching one; June and mid-July were reportedly one of the most intense in terms of extended high temperatures, with heatwaves and an unusually high number of 100-degree days. We are trying to find healthy and safe ways to keep cool, beat the summer heat, and make the most of the rest of our summer days!

Keeping up with the garden has been an enjoyable family activity. We harvested Bobcat tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and so much spinach!!! We played musical chairs with our tomatoes trying to keep them safe from the heat, but sadly, most of them were lost. Next year, we plan on starting earlier and creating more shady spaces for our next garden.

So far, the kids have enjoyed many San Marcos activities, from swimming in the river, dollar movies at EVO’s, joining the summer program at the San Marcos Public Library, dancing in the grass with friends at Summer in the Park, and visiting the Meadows Center and our favorite gem, Wonder World Cave & Adventures.

To remain active in this Texas heat, we have switched to hiking in the mornings and walking and riding our bikes around our neighborhood in the evenings. Avoiding the peak heat hours and preparing ourselves with water bottles, spray bottles, and cooling packs has helped keep us motivated, hydrated, and comfortable. As we wrap up the last weeks of summer, we continue checking off fun things to do. We want to schedule a guided Paddle SMTX Glow Kayak paddle adventure, visit local museums, and finish up finding all the Mermaid sculptures in our Mermaid March. We are ready to pick up pizza and head to watch movies in the park, and finish off by attending the Summer Splash at Rio Vista Pool.

Some fun and engaging ways to keep fresh and hydrated with your family are making homemade popsicles, frozen fruit smoothies, and infusing your iced water with fresh fruit, limes, or lemons. This weekend, Uncle Gabriel showed us how to make his tasty watermelon agua fresca. With just 3 ingredients, you too can enjoy an evening on your porch sipping on a refreshing Mexican traditional favorite. SALUD!!

AGUA FRESCA

• 4 cups of cubed watermelon
• 2 cups water
• Sugar, honey, or sugar substitute to taste

**Add Tajin to the rim for a kick!

Add watermelon to a blender or hand-mash until smooth. Strain the mixture into a large pitcher. Remove seeds and sediment. Add in water and your choice of sweetener. Taste test, adding more ingredients as needed. Serve immediately over ice or refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Salud!!