American Express ran an ad campaign back in the 1980s based on the message “never leave home without it”. The point was that the American Express card could be your most important financial asset whenever you leave the house. No one knows if that’s actually true, but there are other items we should always carry with us when we leave home. One of them is a good pair of sunglasses.
More and more experts are recommending that we always wear sunglasses outdoors (during daylight hours), irrespective of the amount of direct sunlight. They say that ultraviolet rays can be harmful even on cloudy, overcast days.
Assuming what they are telling us is true, there are a number of places you should never go about taking a good pair of sunglasses. Utah-based Olympic Eyewear says they do not necessarily have to be designer sunglasses, although that never hurts.
1. Central Florida Theme Parks
Central Florida is known as the theme park capital of the world thanks to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, et al. It is also one of the sunniest locales in the United States. Spending a full day walking around a theme park in the bright sun can certainly do a number on your eyes. Go for a 7-10-day vacation and you are talking an excessive amount of sun exposure. If you’re heading to Central Florida on vacation, take a good pair of sunglasses.
2. The Grand Canyon
Anyone who has seen the Grand Canyon can tell you what a spectacular sight it is. They can also tell you that visiting parts of the canyon located in the middle of Arizona can be especially taxing on the eyes. Why? Because you’re in a desert where there are no trees, houses, or other structures to block the sun. When that sun is high in the Arizona sky, it’s bright. Take a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to visit the Grand Canyon.
3. Aspen, Colorado (in the winter)
Aspen, Colorado is one of the most well-known resort towns for skiing. At 8,000 feet above sea level, this popular destination gets plenty of snow and sunshine during the winter months. So much so that snow blindness is a real possibility if you ski at Aspen without proper protective eyewear. So if you’re planning a ski trip to Aspen, take a good pair of sunglasses. Make a commitment to the latest designer frames, and you’ll also look cool enough to fit in with the arts and croissants crowd.
4. Coastal Maine (in the summer)
Coastal Maine is not known for its bright sunshine and glistening waters during the winter, but the summer is an entirely different deal. Driving along the coast or going out onto the water during the summer offers plenty of exposure to the big yellow ball in the sky. As an added incentive for wearing sunglasses, remember that the glare of the sun off water can be particularly harmful.
5. Anywhere in Southern California
Last but not least is Southern California. You should always have sunglasses with you in this part of the world – both because of the sun and the number of celebrities who live there. You absolutely have to have a good pair of designer sunglasses just to fit in.
Whether or not you have an American Express card, make sure to never leave your home without your sunglasses. When you are a retiree living in a 55+ community with eyes that are just as healthy as when you were 20, you’ll thank yourself for being so diligent.