I’ve got a lot of writing deadlines this summer. (Do I even need to say that? I’m an academic. Maybe it goes without saying.) There’s also a lot of family stuff on the go. In the midst of all this, I’m excited that it’s seriously summer. That means warmer weather, brighter skies, and a schedule that’s just a little bit more flexible.
So far, I’ve been traveling for work and pleasure, which has been amazing, but for the rest of summer, there are some things I want to do closer to home. These are the activities that feel most like summer to me. It feels like it’s not really summer unless I get to do these things.
The one must-do summer thing we have done is camping. We’ve been to the Pinery and to Awenda Provincial Park, both trips with bikes for daytime rides. We’ve also spent a couple of weekends on the boat, and that’s been fun too.
Still, there are some summertime itches I’ve yet to scratch. What are they?
First on my list is a Beach Day. It could even be a beach evening or two. I want to swim, play in the waves, nap in the sand, and maybe read a beach book or two. Proximity to Lake Huron is one of the things I miss about living in London, but Guelph isn’t that far away, really. Sarah’s family farm is also close to the Sandbanks beach. We went last summer but got rained out. Might be worth trying again.
Second on my list are some Long Bike Rides. We haven’t done much of that this summer. It used to be my go-to weekend activity, often focused on getting ready for the Friends for Life Bike Rally. I’m hoping to be rally ready by next year. Fingers crossed. This year, Sarah and I have the Pedaling for Parkinsons ride. Please sponsor us here. And I’m riding 60 km for my birthday. Finally, there is a fall Parkinson’s Ride, the Growling Beaver gravel ride we might take on.
The third item on my list is a Canoe Camping Trip. It doesn’t need to be that rugged, and it doesn’t need to be that long. A couple of nights in a tent listening to loons will do. For years, I’ve thought that in terms of relaxation and that feeling that I’ve really had a break, absolutely nothing beats back country canoe camping. Being gone for even a few days feels like a week or so away. I’m not sure what it is. The beautiful natural environment? The absolute no signal and complete disconnect? Cooking over the camp stove? Yoga on rocks? I don’t know. I just know I love it. Bring it on.
Fourth of my list is a day hanging out around Sarah’s family Swimming Pool. I like days that move between swimming, hot tubbing, reading, snacking, and napping. Sigh.
Fifth is another Prince Edward County weekend. This one has bike rides around Big Island and riding for ice cream at Slickers. Those could be fall activities, but Slickers closes early for the season. They’re not long long bike rides. I think the ice cream loop is about 50 km, and Big Island is about 30 km.
Here’s Big Island:
And here’s a neon cone!
Don’t worry. I’m not going to ignore my summer writing deadlines. They’re all looming in August. But I’m not going to let them get in the way of summer fun.
How about you? Do you have certain summer activities that mean summer to you? Are there things that you feel it’s not really summer until you manage to do this thing? Let us know in the comments.