So Long, Summer
In theory, Labor Day commemorates the contributions of American workers to society. But in practice, its symbolic poignancy is so much more. In D.C., we say goodbye to free pools, the potential threat of shark attacks at nearby beaches, seasonal beers, interns, and sweat-stained suits. This weekend, in other words, we say goodbye to summer. (Even if we still have some 90-degree days ahead in September.)
Here’s some data to remind you just how big it all was.
As of Aug. 23, there were 261,551 visitors to D.C. public pools this summer. (190,182 visits to outdoor pools and 71,369 to indoor pools.)
VIDA Fitness’ penthouse pool on U Street was at capacity this summer with 1,100 members. Access to the fancy pool runs $159 a month, which includes a gym membership.
The Maryland Transportation Authority expects more than 333,000 vehicles to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge—the bridge that connects the Washington and Baltimore areas to Delaware and Maryland coastal destinations—this Labor Day weekend.
D.C. Brau brewed 480 kegs worth of its summer Hefeweizen beer “El Hefe Speaks” this season. The last batch of 120 kegs will be packaged next week and ship out the following week.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says it’s unaware of any shark attacks in Maryland waters this summer—or, as far as the agency knows, ever. But that could just mean the vicious attacks were never reported.
It’s not just the pandas. The National Zoo celebrated a total of 66 births since Memorial Day—30 at the zoo in D.C. and another 36 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s headquarters in Virginia.
The highest recorded temperature in the District between June and August was 97 degrees on July 17. In 2012, temperatures reached 105 degrees on July 7.
The lowest recorded temperature between June and August was 59 degrees on June 5. Temperatures dropped to 58 degrees in June 2012.
Between June and August, the District saw 15.73 inches of rain, compared to 7.97 inches during that same period last year.