Have you noticed it's hot?

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Summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, but for all intents and purposes, the season is here in full force. The end of Spoleto is always a good way to mark the beginning of summer, but let us appreciate the many different and unique Lowcountry summertime treats -- enjoying a cold beer on the back deck of the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms or at Red's or Snapper Jack's; children playing in the fountain at Waterfront Park; frolicking at Wannamaker County Park; backyard cookouts and BBQs; frolicking at James Island County Park; boating in Charleston Harbor; taking your dog to the dog park; riding bikes across the Ravenel Bridge; taking in a RiverDogs game; golf on Kiawah, shopping at the Farmers Market, you get the picture. Simply put--summer in the Lowcountry is second to none.

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And I won't be enjoying any of these summertime activities for a single second. It's hot! Call me a bad Southerner, but even though I was born and raised in the Lowcountry, I've never gotten used to the sticky, sweltering outdoor misery that is summer in Charleston. The heat is unbearable and the humidity is like walking around inside a lung. This time of year, I'd rather be Will Folks' public relations adviser than be forced to dine outside. I'd rather be Jake Knotts sensitivity counselor than be stuck on the beach. I'd rather be Alvin Greene's campaign manager than be stranded on a boat. When leaving my air-conditioned car, I cannot wait to get back inside to my next air-conditioned point of destination and I'm eagerly counting down the days until fall. My father always said he and my mother's idea of camping was the Holiday Inn, and I suppose I share their same aversion for all things outdoors, but summer really takes the cake. Why anyone would want to sweat to death in this awful heat is beyond me, but for those who do enjoy such things, God speed. I'll see you in September.