We Survived ... Barely

When it's hot, it's HOT and when it's not, it's NOT.  But yesterday ... the oven was set on BROIL.  I suppose we just don't notice it all that much when we are inside all day long.  It really wasn't THAT hot ... until I got out to the lake.  Isn't it supposed to be cooler around water?

I wondered why the boat dock was so quiet as I entered the park.  Many MANY moons ago when I was something like 21 years old, I worked for Parks and Recreation, so I spent a lot of time here.   

Only one thing has changed in all those years.  They torn down the concession stand.  So sad ... they made the best burgers and snow cones!  The entire park is about 2 miles long, covered in grass and trees.  I was surprised it was so empty on this day.  

Except for these guys who were basking under the tree.  There are four block buildings along the way, all set up with kitchens and barbecue pits.  I was headed to the very last one at the dead end.  It already seemed to be filled with people at 9:30, when the shindig didn't start until noon.  

My job was appetizers ... something I fussed over.  I'm not really a fan of eating myself sick, but I participated like a champ.  That is Hickory Bacon dip from ..... wait for it ..... THE BIG TENT in Quartzsite.  I finally got to use up some of that stuff I bought.

Meet Nick, Kathy and Janet, good friends who always keep me laughing, though on this day we were all pretty quiet.  The heat began to come on at 11:00.  By noon, we were rare, soon to be burnt to a crisp.

Here's how this worked.  You pay $20.00, they give you a steak, which you then have to go cook YOURSELF.  The heat from that huge barbecue was cooking my legs right through the brick wall, not to mention we were standing in the sun.  Oooweeee!!!

Luckily I saw them putting two steaks on, so we ran to the front of the line.  On the second barbecue, they were cooking up some delicious corn on the cob!  Add to that a salad, though I probably would not have called it that.  It had big chunks of bell peppers and onions with barely visible tomatoes and no dressing.  Add to that chili beans, though our first cup had no beans in it.  I had to return to the line and have them stir the pot!!

To be honest, no one was really interested in the food anyway.  We were all stuffed to the gills on appetizers.  The beer was free, but I opted for water ... lots of water.

By this time the Devil had arrived and it was scorching hot.  The usual cool breeze from the lake completely disappeared.  We were dying, even with nice shade under the easy up over our table, and Janet was soon in distress.

No kidding ... 30 minutes after our steaks were cooked, we were packing up to leave.  There was just no reason to dance with the Devil in that horrible heat.  I think Janet was on the verge of heat stroke.  

My truck temperature read 107 as I slowly drove back out the gate.  By this time the park was packed to the brim.  I was so surprised that so many people would come for an outing when the heat was this bad, but here they were, parked on every available patch of dirt.

 Next year I'm advocating for maybe a 5:00 pm steak dinner like they used to have back in the old days.  At least the breeze off the cool lake water would be preferable to broiling.  

We are in for it again today since it's already 73 degrees at 5:30 am.  Mr. Cooper and I are headed out for a nice long walk before the oven gets up to scorching.  Like me, he's now on a diet, though I'm sure he will partake of some of that leftover steak I brought home!!!

The good news ..... I checked on Janet and she was better.  We survived another day!