Even though summer may seem to have arrived earlier, the season officially began on June 21 with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The word solstice means "sun stands still," and that's often how it feels during these seemingly endless days.

With the kids out of school and going off to camp, day or sleep-away, it's time to do something for yourself. Get out in the garden and create something beautiful, or get up into the air for a new perspective. Or dance in the streets. The Valley heats up in more ways than one.

UP AND AWAY
Wingless, weightless, silent flight. That's what Blue Sky Balloons, based in Beacon, offers. One-hour hot-air balloon rides are $175 a pop (no pun intended). Owner and pilot Bill Hughes, a former Navy pilot and prominent balloonist, has flown the world over, but he says his favorite flying is done in the Hudson Valley. Catch up with Hughes at www.blueskyballoons.com or (845) 831-6917. Or look him up at the Mid-Hudson Balloon Festival in Poughkeepsie, on July 16-18. Balloons will launch from Waryas Park and other locations Friday and Saturday at 6pm, weather permitting. Mass launches begin Saturday and Sunday at 6am from Sprout Creek Farm. The festival also includes the Downtown Poughkeepsie Bike Race as well as concerts and fireworks at Waryas Park. Call the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce for more info. (845) 454-1700, x1000

AL FRESCO
There's nothing more refreshing after a long day in the sun than taking an outdoor shower. (It also gives the kids something to do, and even makes keeping the dog clean enjoyable.) A standard feature at beach houses, these showers can be built under a deck, along a fence, or inside a hedge. Or you can get an inexpensive, portable shower that attaches to your garden hose. At its stores and online, Target carries two models. The dark wood outdoor shower, with a base made of Indonesian redwood, goes for $100, and the Waterpik Solar Outdoor Shower, $120, features a six-gallon tank in its base that stores sun-heated water. Go on and get wet. www.target.com