August 2003

Hot Places to Cool Down

When the mercury hits 90 and the humidity’s even higher, there are lots of ways to chill out and cool off

by Mary Burnham

“A day not fit for man or beast.”
“Dog days of summer.”
“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”

Whatever the cliché of choice, when the mercury hits 90 and the humidity’s even higher, the easiest thing to do is dash between air-conditioned home and office in an air-conditioned car. But there are many more imaginative ways to beat the heat in Hampton Roads, on land, in the sea, and even up in the air.

Into the spray

Water parks are a no-brainer on a hot, sticky day. Ocean Breeze Water Park in Virginia Beach has a new water slide this summer, the Hurricane, and you can watch a movie while playing in the million-gallon Runaway Bay Wave Pool (422-4444, www.oceanbreezewaterpark.com).

At WaterCountry USA in Williamsburg, the newest and largest water thrill ride is Hubba Hubba Highway, a winding adventure river course (800-343-7946, www.watercountryusa.com).

While they’re not technically water parks, you have a very good chance of getting wet on Busch Gardens’ Roman Rapids in Williamsburg (800) 343-7946, www.buschgardens.com), or on the Big Splash log flume ride at the Virginia Beach Amusement Park at the oceanfront (422-2307, www.vabeachamusementpark.com)

Under the sea

Often called “the graveyard of the Atlantic,” the Virginia coast is littered with wrecks, some lying in as little at 60 feet of water and accessible to the beginning SCUBA diver (with training and an experienced guide, of course). Wrecks vary from a freighter torpedoed by a German U-boat during World War II to a fishing boat that went down in a storm in 2000. Some are fairly intact, while others are little more than debris; but all create artificial reefs that attract fish. Species you’re likely to encounter in Virginia waters range from the common brown summer flounder to the colorful dolphin fish. It takes about 20 hours of training, usually in a pool, to become certified for open water dives. The cost is about $130, but some dive shops offer free or inexpensive introductory lessons to see if SCUBA is for you. If it’s not, you can always visit the new Cousteau Society headquarters on Hampton’s riverfront, and see how Jacques did it (800-441-4395).

For the rest of this story, you can order the August 2003 issue of Hampton Roads Monthly magazine.