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We鈥檙e kind of wired to think that summer ends at Labor Day 鈥� that would be Sept. 2 鈥� but the calendar says fall doesn鈥檛 officially begin until three weeks later 鈥� on Sept. 23.

And the thermostat definitely sides with the later date; temperatures will stick to the low 100s/high 90s through the first few weeks of September and possibly into October.

Which is why we鈥檙e excited to hit the road this weekend in search of things that make us think it鈥檚 fall or make us forget it鈥檚 still kinda summer.

Willcox

They鈥檙e roasting fresh-picked chiles at Apple Annie鈥檚 Orchards and chiles remind us of chili, which makes us think of football, which takes us to the heart of cool evenings and Friday night lights.

Over the next two weekends, Green Chili Roast at Apple Annie鈥檚 is down at the farm, 6405 W. Williams Road. You can pick your own chiles or grab a bag already picked. You can also sample Apple Annie鈥檚 green chile ice cream or ask the staff at the Burger Barn on site to slap a few of those fresh roasted chiles on a grilled burger. Buy 40 pounds or more and they will roast them free of charge. Apple Annie鈥檚 is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Details: .

Oak Creek Canyon

Slide Rock in Oak Creek Canyon, a short drive from Sedona, was named one of 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Top 10 Swimming Holes鈥� by the Travel Channel, which has slapped that accolade on the popular swimming hole several times in recent years. And there鈥檚 a reason why: The water is cool and crisp, the setting is out-of-this-world-gorgeous and the temperature is a good 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Tucson or Phoenix.

Slide Rock is like Mother Nature鈥檚 ultimate water park. It鈥檚 80 feet of slip-and-slide excitement that dips and bends along an algae-coated sandstone chute. You have to be super careful; those rocks are slippery. But once you figure out your footing, there is nothing more exhilarating than sloshing in the cool, clear Oak Creek water on a bed of smooth and silky sandstone.

Slide Rock, 6871 N. Highway 89A, is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day. Admission is $20 for up to four adults in a vehicle weekdays, $30 on Fridays through Sundays. Details: .

Glendale

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor 鈥� formerly Wet 鈥榥鈥� Wild Phoenix 鈥� is on its end-of-the-season weekends-only schedule 鈥� 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October. And here鈥檚 the good news for those of us making the 90-minute drive to 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road: we still get in for half the price they charge people who live in Phoenix.

That鈥檚 half price for full fun: 35 acres teaming with more than 30 slides and attractions to soak you and sun you and make you think even for a brief second that you鈥檙e on a beach on the Pacific ocean. OK, that might be a stretch, but work with us.

To get the $19.99 deal, show your driver鈥檚 license, college ID or utility bill with your Tucson address to the folks at the gate. Or order online with the promo code 鈥淭ucson鈥� at .

Clarkdale Climb aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad to go back in time to when train travel was the norm, not the novelty.

The four-hour trip aboard a renovated vintage train departs from the depot, , at 1 p.m. most days and winds through 20 miles of pristine terrain and 110 years of rich history.

The train includes first-class and coach seats, spacious lounge areas for parties of four or more and food and beverage services. Coach seats start at $64.95 for adults, $44.95 for kids at .

For future reference: The Verde Canyon Railroad runs a holiday-themed 鈥淢agical Christmas Journey鈥� Dec. 6-23 that usually proves pretty popular. If you鈥檙e interested, you might want to make reservations early.