End of Summer at Garda Lake

Summer is setting on the Alps overlooking Garda Lake. Summer this year has been a fighter, and although I am sure it is over, it ended very strongly with weather over 100 F (45 C). We had a week where everyday was hot, humid and uncomfortable. In the morning I would rush to get the housework and errands done before 10 AM. That incidentally reminds me of etiquette guru Emily Post who claims the maids should have the house in place before 10 AM in case anyone called. One of my favorite quotes by Mrs. Post for dressing the maids fashionably is,

"A few ladies of great taste dress their maids according to individual becomingness; some faces look well under a cap, others look the contrary. A maid whose hair is rather fluffy—especially if it is dark—looks pretty in a cap, particularly of the coronet variety.."

Anyway, without a maid or coronet cap I proposed to get the house clean and anything needing physical energy done before 10 and was happy to notice my neighbors doing the same, beating rugs, washing windows and emptying mop buckets. It was like joining a soccer team but cleaning. After 10AM the sun would barrel down and boil the surface of the little towns surrounding Lake Garda. The heat was so mentally disturbing that it was the only thing one could focus on after noon. What do you want to eat? It has to be raw, we are not turning on the stove. Close all the shutters and keep the house dark to see if it stays fresher. Look, the cats are panting, let's shave them. Do we want to shave our own heads? Horrible heat that felt like it was melting you like a candle.

It was during this week that my fiance and I went to Lake Garda to jump in for a swim 5 times. Yes, I am still afraid of the lake but there is no better way to kill the heat biting your skin than jumping in fresh water. We had a blast and found some very nice lake beaches. Even camping beaches where people were all set up to live just steps away from jumping in the refreshing water.

After going to the lake five times to spend the day I am pretty certain of what is needed to have a comfortable time there, or on any beach. A backpack is needed with the following:

• Beach blanket or old blanket: why a blanket? After swimming in the lake it is nice to have a sandwhich and take a nap under a tree overlooking the lake. A blanket gives more room to feel comfortable than a beach towel where your feet hang off the edge.

• Beach towel: Lay it over the beach blanket, it helps you dry off after swimming.

• Sunscreen: Try to stay in the shade to avoid heat exhaustion but if there is no shade smear on some sunscreen.

• Frozen water: That's right. Freeze 3/4 of a bottle of water, any size. Take it out of the freezer right before you leave and fill the rest with water. The ice will melt slowly while keeping the water cool for up to 5 hours. Plus it keeps the rest of your picnic such as sandwhiches and Coca-Colas cool. And no one likes a hot Coke.

• Panino: A hearty sandwhich will beat off hunger, save you money and keep you from trudging in the blazing sun to a sticky ice-cream shack to wait in line with annoying 12 year-olds who are also hungry. Ice-cream doesn't satisfy hungry bellies. Pack something with meat and cheese, it sticks to the ribs longer.

• A Hat: Hat haters say no more, a hat keeps the sun off head, face constantly shaded and helps napping by blocking out light while giving glimpses of the trees or sky above.

• Comfy swimsuit: Very hot days are not the best ones to try the new fashionable swim suit. Something will feel tight, or too loose, or too high or low. Go with old faithful to feel comfortable in the heat. 

Those are my "pack light and right" beach tips after staying on the lake this past hot week.