Reader mailbag: How to stay cool in Austin

The big picture: Several of you suggested that it's best to leave it all behind and head to Colorado.

• But for those of us who are stuck here in a puddle of sweat, we've wrangled up some summer ideas that involve AC and water.

Richard V. suggests shifting workouts to early in the morning. Also: "Bike more. Run less."

• "Barton. Springs. Pool," Richard adds. But if all else fails: "Hire a porter, a fan porter, to follow you around waving a giant water lily frond."

Kayne K.'s favorite summer activities include: "Opening the freezer to stick my head in for a moment" and "snacking on watermelon out of the fridge all day."

Of note: It's easy to rack up a high electricity bill when temperatures hit triple digits. Kayne finds the right temperature so that the AC isn't running constantly.

• "78 is the baseline in triple-digit heat, unfortunately. All fans stay on and blinds stay closed."

Laura M. knows that sometimes beating the heat comes with a price tag: "Seriously, though — table tennis."

• "Invested in a used table off Craigslist and an industrial fan for my garage, and I can play (margarita in hand) for hours!"

💭 Our thought bubble: Austin newbies, don't panic. You have options.

• Catch a movie at Violet Crown, spend an afternoon at the Blanton Museum of Art, tour the Texas Capitol, read at the Central Library, two-step, bowl, learn to curl, play laser tag or take a dip at Deep Eddy Pool.