Summer may be coming to a close, but it’s not over yet!
Did you really do everything on your summer bucket list? Chances are, probably not. This season always seems to pass too quickly, and between all the weekends packed with plans, summer holidays, family vacations and afternoons spent just soaking it all in, the days can slip through our fingers at an alarming rate. Before you know it, summer fades from view and the school bells are ringing. As much as we seem to be anticipating autumn (especially the cooler weather), these last few sun-soaked afternoons are just begging to be put to good use. So pack up your car, your bike, your backpack and get out there because there’s so much more to be done!
Take a Road Trip
A weekend road trip can be so fulfilling. Pick a destination that’s only a few hours away, throw some blankets and pillows in the backseat (and maybe a tent), and just go.
Whether you’re traveling alone, with friends or with your family, road trips are the epitome of summer and an amazing way to recharge. Check out a new city you’ve been meaning to visit, head to the shore for the last few beach days, visit a friend you haven’t seen in ages, take the kids to a fun amusement park that’s not too far away. Whatever you plan to do, be sure to make some stops along the way. There are all sorts of fun little roadside shops and attractions for you to explore. The Roadside America app is a great way to discover weird and wonderful roadside attractions that you might otherwise pass by.
Visit a Farm
Y’all, summer is the perfect time to see where your food comes from and truly feel thankful for the bounty of the season. Pay a visit to your local farm or farmer’s market to talk one on one with the people responsible for bringing you fresh produce each week. You know, the ones who work the land so we can eat a salad with our steak! Even better than just talking, see if they accept volunteers. Nothing makes you appreciate a meal more than the knowledge of how much work goes into putting food on your table.
Go Out for Ice Cream
When was the last time you had an honest-to-goodness ice cream cone? If you’ve not been to Sweetwater’s at Landall’s, chances are, it’s been a while!
We aren’t talking about a few surreptitious spoonfuls from the half-pint in your freezer (we are all guilty). We are talking about the beautifully crafted, round scoop of the newest flavor of the week placed masterfully inside a waffle cone. If you avoid dairy, they have a couple dairy-free options that are just as delicious! Before summer is over, make a date of it and go out for a treat. Take a friend. Take the kids. Take yourself! Sure it’s not healthiest, but a little indulgence every now and then is good for the soul.
Head to the Water
Whether you live close by or need to make a road trip out of it, resolve to see some water this summer. Long days spent at the shore are the epitome of summer to a lot of us, and what we look forward to most when warm weather finally arrives.
Pack up your cooler, grab a few friends, and make the most of the few remaining water-worthy days. There are several places to get your toes wet nearby like the Blue Hole outside of Santa Rosa, the Bottomless Lakes near Roswell or Ute Lake near Logan.
Sleep Under the Stars
One of the greatest things about late summer? No mosquitoes and a sky full of stars. Take advantage of the still-warm and bug-free nights by sleeping under the open sky. My siblings and I used to camp out, piling sleeping bags and pillows on our big trampoline in the backyard of my childhood home, and those memories are some of my most favorite. If you have a backyard, take advantage, if not, check out local state forests and campgrounds for cabins and camping availability.
