Today’s question is: What is your favorite way to beat the heat? I know we don’t get a whole lot, but when we do it can be brutal. Here are some tips from the MetroBloggers:

Senor Pieman stopped fanning long enough to say:

Beer and movie at the Mission.
In Portland, what’s better than a local microbrew? How about drinking the beer in an air-conditioned movie theater while watching an inexpensive film? And, if you’re hungry, you can order a burger or pizza or anything else on the menu. Truly one of Portland’s greatest hot-weather avoidance mechanisms.
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Thien-Kim, was sporting a parka and cargo shorts and said:
My favorite way to beat the heat is to wait five minutes. What’s up with this weather?! And what’s this about recent snow on Hood?
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Russ diverted his attention from his mint julep and told me:
If I have the time, I take one of two drives that are sure to get me into cooler climes.
*I-84 East, 35 up to Government Camp, then climb to Timberline Lodge, where I’ll cool off even more. Then down, picking up Highway 26 back into town.
Or;
*Sunset to 101, up thru Seaside to Astoria and over the bridge. Then back over Washington Hwy 4 until Cathalemet. Cross the Columbia by Ferry, picking up US 30 at Westport for the drive back in.
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Betsy paused in her pursuit of the ice cream truck to clue me in:
My favorite ways to beat the heat: Running through a sprinkler. Dipping my feet in the splash pool at Grant (if I can elbow the kiddies out of the way, that is.) Then a homemade sno-cone from the cart outside the Grant Pool, if possible – or a large BombPop (yes, those red, white and blue popsicles) from an ice cream cart or nearby convenience store.
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Josh had a mouthful of Nutty Buddy but managed to write me a note:
My best tip is for summer bicycle-commuters. As a bike commuter, I don’t want to be all hot and sweaty when I get to my destination. But when those 85 and 90-degree days hit, I can hardly bike three blocks without overheating.

My simple and effective tip is this: Loosely tie a wet bandana around your neck. I don’t know how it works, but it works. And it’s FREE.
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The Recently Yet Only Temporarily Departed Benkay stopped slurping down blue Otter Pop long enough to weigh in with:

For beating the heat, nothing tops ice-skating at Lloyd. Nothing. I mean, you’re on ice. Literally. And skating. It’s pretty sweet. I also enjoy the theatre option from time to time.
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And mine? Banana Lee Fishbones is no stranger to heat. That’s not to say I enjoy it, but I can survive it. For immediate gratification I am not above the ‘spritz water in the fan’ standby. Otherwise, movies or a drive with the A/C on to someplace shady. If there’s no shade to be had, it’s off to find a store that sells the recently reintroduced pudding pop.