The weather has been particularly strange lately. Unusually soggy in the Northeast, but dry in the Pacific Northwest. Unbearably hot in the Southeast, and lucky for me and my neighbors, cooler than usual in the Southwest. But according to the Weather Channel, conditions are about to flip-flop. The mercury here is rising. Today's high: 108F.

Wherever you are, it's the season for swimming. And when it starts to get so hot here that you need pot holders to touch the car steering wheel, that's all I can think about. So today, as I sit hostage to the air conditioner, I've made a list — Places I'd love to be just to take a dip. I've limited my features to places I know in the US. Please, by all means, dive in to Wanderlust Sunday, and add your favorite water hole to the list.

14 Enticing Places to Take a Dip listed alpha by state
Chimney Rock Lake Martin Alexander City, AL If you're wondering why it's nicknamed, "Alabama the Beautiful," check out Lake Martin. It stretches from Alexander City to Tallassee providing a 40,000 acre escape with 700 miles of shoreline for fisherman, swimmers, boaters, and anyone who enjoys beautiful natural scenery. A popular feature is Chimney Rock, which attracts daredevils and thrill seekers alike. But you don't have to go all kamikaze to enjoy it. If I were there, I'd just grab a canned beer and a float. Photo (right): Elray Craft
	Lake Powell - Glen Canyon NRA Page, AZ Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is nothing short of a desert paradise. Known as one of the world's greatest places for house boating, it stretches for miles through northern AZ and southern UT. By car, most of the Utah access points are remote and difficult to get to. If you're sans boat, but still want to dive in, the easiest destination, in my opinion, is Page, AZ. As an added bonus for outdoorsy folks, the Wahweap Marina offers lake view camping. Once the sun sets, you'll be just as awed by the view of the night sky. Favorite spot, indeed. Photo (left): Tell The Truth Travel
Slide Rock State Park Sedona, AZ Sedona makes my list again, because I'm telling you: it's absolutely magical. Slide Rock State park is aptly named, because Oak Creek flowing through it has carved a natural water slide perfect for cooling off from the desert heat. Get there early if you go — this is one of the most visited attractions in the area. Photo (right): DreamSedona.com
	Avalon Harbor Catalina Island, CA No matter where you are along the Pacific coast in the continental US, the water is pretty cold for swimming. But if you're going to brave the water without a wet suit somewhere in California, I suggest Catalina Island. An hour-long ferry ride from Long Beach, CA will deposit you in Avalon Harbor. Absolutely stunning views, great in-town vibe, and fun swimming, snorkeling or ocean kayaking. Photo (left): Brew Books
Lake Tahoe South Lake Tahoe, CA Lake Tahoe straddles the California / Nevada border and can be easily accessed from several points in either state. I highlight the town of South Lake Tahoe, because that's where Rufus and I stayed — Nice place that offers reasonably priced accommodation compared to other spots I researched along the lake. High in the Sierra Nevadas, the area is known, of course, for winter recreation. Lake Tahoe is just as stunning in warm weather months too. Crystal blue water surrounded by alpine tree-lined mountains invite you to come on in. Photo (right): Tracy V
	The Merced at Bridal Veil Falls Yosemite NP, CA  Yosemite is one of those places I hope everyone gets to see someday. Glacier-carved granite mountains play host to powerful waterfalls. The Merced and Tuolumne Rivers run through the park, and both permit swimming. This particular photo shows the Merced in the foreground of the famed Bridal Veil Falls. You can't see me in this picture, because I'm only imagining myself there, but trust me: on my monitor, I'm waving and smiling from the middle of that beautiful, refreshing scene. Photo (Left): About Yosemite
The Gulf of Mexico St. George Island, FL In my opinion, the US Gulf Coast offers the most inviting beaches for swimming. The white sand beaches along the Florida panhandle and Alabama coast are particularly inviting. The water is so warm and relatively calm, it's perfect for a lazy day at the beach. St. George Island is my pick for where along that coast to take a dip. It's a beautiful spot relatively isolated from the t-shirt shops and tattoo parlors that attract boisterous party goers to other panhandle beaches. Floridians may disagree with this description, but I like it because: It's like Panama City Beach minus the Panama City. Photo (right): Arturo
	Hanauma Bay Oahu, HI Uh.. yeah, Hawaii makes my list. Probably any beach on any of the islands deserves a spot here. It's not as if I'd pass on an opportunity to take an imaginary dip on a Maui beach or something. But I've seen Hanauma Bay and it took my breath away. This is a nature preserve with a huge coral reef that attracts snorkelers. But even if you're just wading in to that incredible, crystal clear water, tropical fish are at your feet. I'm pretending to be in Hawaii right now. Who's with me? Photo: Kodiax
Golden Nugget Pool Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas is home to some of the most extravagant resort pools in the world, so perhaps this is a strange choice. But let's face it, triple digit temps make any pool inviting. This one has a water slide that goes through a shark tank. Yes, through. If I were 10, I'd probably bug my parents to take me there every day. Now I'd be content to lounge in a submerged chair with waitress service and watch others on the slide. Another consideration for featuring this one is price. Its Fremont Street location makes it generally less expensive than most strip hotels. But shop around if you're coming to Vegas — These days there are recession deals-a-plenty. Photo (right): Lil Tree
	Guadalupe River New Braunfels, TX Get an inner tube for yourself, and another for your cooler. It's that kind of place. Located near Austin, the climate is desert dry, but still offers beautiful green trees and vegetation missing from places farther west. But don't go for the trees. Go for the fun. If you find yourself in central Texas, gather some friends and float on the Guadalupe. Photo (left): TexasOutside.com
Colorado River Moab, UT The first time I visited Utah, it became immediately clear why it's usually spelled with an exclamation point. Utah! Indeed. The thing about southern Utah in particular is that you don't have to be in one of its world-famous parks to be awed. Highway 128 between Moab and I-70 for example: the two lane road that follows the Colorado through a canyon is proof that life is about the journey, not the destination. I couldn't recommend swimming without doing more research — it is a powerful river after all. But it's accessible to stick your feet in for sure. Photo (right): Mulder Media
	Virgin River - Zion Narrows Zion NP, UT The diverse trek through Zion's premier canyon is one of the most touted and breathtaking adventures in America. This is a 16-mile hike, wading through the Virgin River. I've never made that journey myself, but I've stood in the river at the trail head wishing I had the cajones to see what was beyond the first couple of bends in person rather than pictures. Never the less, if a strenuous day-long or more hike is not your thing, don't skip Zion. There are lots of easy trails, and places to access the river. Take your shoes off, dip your toes in, take a 16-mile hike if you please. Photo (left): Terra-Trekking
Crescent Lake Olympic National Park, WA I really don't know about the temperature for swimming in Crescent Lake, but if you're visiting Washington's Olympic Peninsula, then you're probably not too hot to need to. I include it here because I want to remember it. This place is postcard perfect. Just looking at the photo cools me off. Olympic NP, if you can catch it on a clear day, is like 4 or 5 wildly distinctive places in one — Glaciers, temperate rain forest, rugged coastline, interior lakes and more. If the clouds are rolling in and you have time for one stop: Don't miss Hurricane Ridge. Photo (right): Wunderground.com
	Jenny Lake Grand Teton National Park, WY It was too cold for swimming when I visited Jenny Lake, and I still wanted to get in. It's probably a little cold even this time of year, but I dare you to go for a swim. Or just sit by the edge and dangle your feet. You're 6,000 feet up in the majestic Grand Tetons. When Vegas heats up, this is one of the places I visit in my mind. Photo (left): Lightlypaintedpixels

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