As the summer season treks onward, those 90 degree days with a heat index of 100 and up become more prevalent. The "dog days of summer" are upon us. The phrase dog days, refers to the hottest, most sultry days of summer. For all of us in the northern hemisphere, this means from early July to early September. The name comes from long ago in ancient times, and it refers to the dog star or Sirius, which is the brightest star in the night sky.  

At certain times during the year, Sirius will rise and set in conjunction with the sun. When this occurred during the summer, ancient Egyptians and Romans argued that it was responsible for the summer heat, by adding its heat to the heat of the sun. The time period 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction was called the "dog days of summer" because it coincidentally fell at the time of year when it was very hot.  

Just because the temperatures are up, don't lock yourself indoors! Plan a visit to a tree-covered park with plenty of shade like Great Neck Park or Bayville Farms Park or make it a beach trip with a visit to Little Island Park or Lynnhaven Boat & Beach Facility and take a dip in the ocean to cool off. We also have some wonderful natural areas offering ample tree covered trails for a refreshing walk at West Neck Creek and Stumpy Lake. Just remember to stay hydrated!