But I Do When...

Say what you want about the climate crisis, it's a thing and this weekend proved it.

We were in Canada this weekend for an annual event that we attend for the last elebenty years.  I don't necessarily enjoy it because it's ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS...did I say ALWAYS?... hot.

Yeah, it was 100 degrees on Sunday. (35 celsius)  100 degrees.  It was one of the hottest temps recorded at the track. One HUNDRED degrees.

It's this kind of temperature where us PNW folks just cease to function.  Not only is it hot, it's humid.  We are not designed, nor prepared, for this kind of heat.

We brought our big oscillating fan and a ton of water.  I stayed in the trailer because even though it's a big metal box, it was shady and we could create a draft.  (and it's away from the brother in law)  It was still just this close, if not actually, unbearably miserable.

And then we had to go race, the whole reason we were there.  In the staging lanes, where we wait was in the direct sun.  Holy mother of dog.  Then the surface temp of the track where I was standing was 127 degrees and climbing.  Kevin is in a 5 layer THICK firesuit, helmet, gloves, collar and boots.  And inside the racecar.

We make excellent choices.

So here's the thing.  I never wear shorts beyond our house.  I am just not comfortable.  I am so pale I'm nearly clear.  My legs have scars from accidents and allergies.  It's just not a thing I do. It's not a good look.

But I do when it's 100 dogdamned degrees.

I also never wear shoes without socks (I have sensory issues. I'm the kid who would fuss because my sock was wrong)  But I do when it's 100 dogdamned degrees. (sandals aren't allowed on the track, shoes only.  Technically I was supposed to have long pants too)

I rarely wear sunblock (I KNOW) But I had multiple applications of 50 SPF sunblock and I still burned. The fact that I'm just not a pile of ashes is remarkable.

I rarely wear a pony tail and I'd just had a haircut so it wasn't super long. But I do when it's 100 dogdamned degrees.  I was the epitome of Hot Mess this weekend.  But I was definitely not the worst case scenario. So I had that going for me.

I anticipated being dehydrated and a lovely shade of lobster today but it's not bad actually. Now I can hardly wait for my scalp to peel.  Because that's a good look.

Now I have to wait for this memory to fade before this time next year and we do it again.