So you're planning on visiting the post-apocalyptic landscape of Phoenix for Netroots Nation 2015, and maybe yell at Sheriff Joe or point your finger at Governor Jan? Well as a Phoenix resident, let me give you some pointers on what you'll need to survive the heat while you're here. More beneath the melted stain of all that's left of the last person who visited Phoenix and didn't prepare!
First of all, it's GOING TO BE HOT. Don't kid yourselves, when it's hot here it's a heat that you've probably never experienced; forecasts call for around 109F during the NN 2015 span, but odds are it will be above 110F every day. And the day STARTS hot - it's been 90F by around 8:30 every morning, and has been staying above 100F up to about midnight. Because it's a city with asphalt and concrete heat storing, it's not like being out in the desert where it cools off quite a lot after the sun goes down - and if you're going to be outside protesting or marching, YOU'RE going to be feeling that asphalt/concrete heat, which radiates close to 150F in direct sunlight. Ouch. The first thing you're going to need;
A loose fitting, preferably white long-sleeved cotton shirt and a big brim hat. NO t-shirt, and NO baseball cap! It may be counter-intuitive to wear a long sleeved shirt, but it's billowy which allows air circulation, and the long sleeves will keep your arms from getting sunburned, and you can roll them up if you feel like it.
A tightly woven straw hat is one of your choices, I also recommend a canvas hat because you can soak it in water, and the evaporation will cool your head. You want to get a hat with a crown though, to allow air between the top of the hat and your head - a baseball cap rests directly on your head, and allows the sun to beat right on you, scrambling your brain like an egg. Here's my canvas hat, a good style to use;
Next, you're going to need water. If you're planning on just carrying a water bottle, that's not really going to work out very well - in the Phoenix heat, you're going to need a lot more water than a bottle will hold. If NN is supplying and passing out water, this may not be a problem - but it's best to be prepared for the worst. I STRONGLY recommend going to a sporting goods store, or Target or other such store, and buying a water-carrying backpack with a drinking tube, like a Camelbak;
Mine holds 100 fl. oz, and has a filling hole which is large enough to put blocks of ice in. Whatever type you find, it's a good idea to put some ice in to help cool the water - depending on the pack's insulation, it will stay cool up to 3-4 hours. Also, these packs usually have multiple pockets to hold things you don't want jangling in your pockets, and having a backpack helps keep your hands free, instead of having to hold a bottle all the time. These packs usually sell for between $25 and $100, depending on how good quality you want. And speaking of carrying things, another recommendation;
A good old fanny pack! Yes I know they're the subject of derision, but they're incredibly useful and utilitarian in cicumstances like this. A good one will hold your cell phone, money, camera, tablet, business cards, pen and pad, and another item you're going to desperately need - FOOD! You're going to need to have snacks on hand to gnosh on and keep your energy up. Trail mix bars or fruit bars will be a good choice - remember you're going to be standing or walking in extreme heat and you should eat lightly, nothing too heavy. Oh and I don't recommend the small bottles of booze - that's just me. And speaking of walking;
Wear good quality walking shoes! DO NOT WEAR SANDALS!!! You don't know misery until you've had sunburned feet, and don't forget you're going to be walking on asphalt or concrete that's close to 150F hot. Do you want to put bare skin 1/2 an inch away from that? Bring sandals ALSO if you know you're going to be inside, but never wear them outside.
Other essentials are, of course, a good sunscreen, sunglasses, and a couple of cotton bandanas. Bandanas are great - you can wet them and wrap them around your neck, wrap them around your head, rub down your arms and legs, and of course they're necessary to wipe the sweat from your face. That's why I suggest at least two.
Another nice item to have is a spray water-bottle, to mist yourself occasionally. A little mist now and then can be a life-saver, and you can hang the bottle on your belt from the bottle trigger.
Also, you can choose to bring an umbrella to shade you from the sun, which would be an excellent idea if you believe the heat may be too much for you - especially if you're older or you have health problems. Just remember you'll be in a crowd, and the umbrella may be unwieldy. The important thing is to take the heat we have here VERY seriously, and it's better to be overprepared. You'd rather end the day wondering what all the fuss was about, then wake up in an ambulance wondering where you are!
Oh and after the excitement for the day is over, I'd like to recommend the following bar/restaurant in Tempe; the Four Peaks Brewery!
They brew 8 different types of their own beer right there on-site, and have a special 'sampler' plate of all 8 varieties in 3 oz. glasses - I highly recommend it! And the food there is really excellent, they have great chefs who cook really delicious dishes. The place is very popular and always packed, so be prepared to park a couple of blocks away and wait 30 mins. to an hour for a table.
So welcome to Phoenix everyone, enjoy Netroots Nation! Be safe, and BE PREPARED!
Heat exhaustion or heat stroke is a real possibility here during summer, if you think you're showing any of the symptoms get inside and cool off IMMEDIATELY, and find medical help.
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Confusion
Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
Dizziness
Fainting
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle or abdominal cramps
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Pale skin
Profuse sweating
Rapid heartbeat
http://www.webmd.com/...