Now that summer is drawing to a close it is time to look back and see how we did. I know that to some it seems sad that a couple of nature lovers living in the middle of nature, would be reduced to keeping track of our ‘fun’ time in an effort to remind ourselves to get outside and enjoy the bounty of the beautiful place we live, but sometimes life takes over and we forget to take a moment to relax.
It all started a few years ago when the first snow hit early and Ken and I looked at each other and said, “Where in the heck did the summer go?” We’d been right here in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet and yet we’d barely taken a moment from the hustle and bustle of our lives to enjoy it.
We decided the next year to create a graph and list all the things we really wanted to do such as taking a hike, going out on the boat, and taking dinner to the beach. We found that by keeping track we actually were more active so we have been doing it ever since.
That first year we included all sorts of things which did become somewhat of a burden to keep track of, but this year we decided to only track hiking, boating, dinner at the beach, and watching the sunset. My back has been bothering me so I didn’t do a lot of boating but Ken went out wakeboarding 2 – 3 times a week, we both enjoyed hiking, dinner at the beach, and watching the sunset, at least three times per week.
In conclusion, treating having fun as a task to check off may seem crazy to most but to us it works so I a have a feeling that counting the dots will be a strategy we employ for years to come.
To be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card comment below and share with me an activity or two you would put on your summer chart if you had one.
The winner of last weeks gift card is Kathy Peel . Please email me at kathidaley@kathidaley.com to collect your prize.
Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
I’ve always liked to go to outdoor antique/flea markets. There are also so many festivals here to enjoy every week.
We made a point of visiting a few places in Virginia. We have lived here for two years, near our nation’s capital, but tend to be homebodies.
Spend a few days going on a mini vacation with my hubby. We dairy farm so vacation usually is in the winter. I don’t care what we did as long as it wasn’t farm related.
Taking time to walk on some of the nature trails would be top of my list. We didn’t do much this summer. We were very lazy and I kind of regret it.
We’ve been visiting a different park every week to try out new trails.
My summer chart would include a trip to Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Yellowstone, the down into the grand canyon…Id love a southwestern trip!!
My summer chart would include a trip to the mountains, going night fishing and taking the grandsons to any place that they decide would be fun for them.
Congratulations Kathy Peel
Hubby and I actually just discussed getting National Park passes and go visit some since we have a few not too far. Unfortunately it is usually too freaking hot here in the summer for going outside and it being enjoyable.
I would love to visit our state’s Renaissance Faire this summer. I haven’t gone for a few years. I also have been meaning to visit more local historic sites while the weather is nice.
We try to go to Porsche Parade every other year- they alternate between a east coast and west coast event each year. We also try to see family outside of our very warm state (AZ).
Good plan. Waiting for everything to be spontaneous means you end up wondering where the time went. I would take the time to explore my local area the way I did years ago when everything was new to me.
Taking the time to walk on nature trails and getting back into wild birdwatching.
Congratulations to Kathy Peel for winning last week’s gift card!
I want to visit some of the local attractions like Fort McHenry and the Edgar Allan Poe House.
This summer I’ve been a caregiver to my mom and I haven’t had much me time or me and husband time. We decided we both needed a vacation. So we grabbed a couple friend of ours and made our way down to FL for a week. We have been camping, took a trip to Gatlinburg and I spent many Saturdays with my best friend, either at the pool or at her house. My husband and I are planning for camping and maybe another trip to FL next year.
I would definitely put hiking in Jasper on my list, we try to find new spots every summer. Lots of biking with my daughter would also be on my list! Glad you’ve had a great summer so far 🙂 !
We put all of the events we might want to go to on a white board on the fridge each month. We like to visit different public gardens on weekends and go to car shows.
Bob and i just got National park passes,so that would be one thing we plan to do.I love just taking long walks and spending time tigether.
Go to an upscale golf course.
Tour a botanical garden.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
The couple weeks that it was hot enough to get into
the pool, without having to cringe. The days when
it was cool enough to have the windows open, rather
than living with the AC. It’s been a weird summer.
Glad you had a good summer.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Take a sail boat cruise in Chicago , I think it would be an awesome time !
If i had a chart one of the things I would want to do is get a porch built so that we could sit outside it would have to have a screen over it as there are so many bugs at night that we can’t turn on the outside light when we take the pups out. Also I would want to go down to the park which is a windy 1/4 mile to the Miss River and let the pups run but we have to go down when the campers have all left there is a trail that goes down to the river and they love to run on it when we take them when winter hasn’t turned to winter. Peggy Clayton ptclayton2@aol.com
I would go lake fishing with my son’s and their families. One of the larger lakes like the Skilak.
I guess I have my own little “dots” that allow me to make sure that my husband and I make time for some of those moments… 1) go out to lunch, 2) visit the river, 3) go for a drive. When I keep track of it, we are more apt to stop and go do something relaxing.
If I had a summer activity chart I would have us make a day-cation every week and visit some local site here in NC, VA or SC. I would also include at least 2 weekends at the beach. Also want to go to the mtns. and do a rafting trip down the Natahalu(SP) in the spring when the river flow is at the highest. This year we didn’t do anything much because of Paul’s rehab with his leg. Congratulations Kathy for winning last weeks gift card.
Take a nature walk
Visiting a beach!
A chart would probably do me good. It is so hot here, that I usually have to be forced to leave the house if I am not going to work. Visiting a lot of neighboring historical sites and spending more time at the Botanical garden would be on my list!
I would have to include walking the beach with my metal detector.
Two things that would be on my chart for summer would be visit our Arboretum and the second is to take in a major league baseball game with my family. Since we are located in the northeast corner of Ohio and the shores of Lake Erie we are fortunate to have it daily to swim in, collect driftwood, and/or watch the sunset.
going to amusement parks, the zoo, museums, and the aquarium along with hiking and walking on the beach
I love to walk on the beach at sunrise, and I didn’t get to do that this year. I really miss it; that’s what makes my summer complete.
I want to take a weekend trip to Key West and party a little. Take the high speed ferry from Ft Myers. We just moved to FL from MA and I have lots of things I want to do.
When I move back to Chicago next week I went to take subway to downtown Chicago & walk down Michigan Avenue, stop at a restaurant to eat & go to Macy’s Dept. Store & shop. Thanks for this generous giveaway.
If I could I would take our Granddaughter, Gianna, to the local park to play and to visit the museums in downtown Chicago. Hopefully some time while she’s young enough to enjoy them.
I always wanted to go to the Smokey Mountains and also go to Dollywood.
Sitting out on the back porch with a cup of coffee, and watch the birds, and maybe get to see a deer or two.
Take the time to go camping and just relax😊
Drive-In movie, hiking, playing in the yard with the kids(I would like to do it more),
I want to travel to Louisiana and Georgia to visit family. Haven’t been in a long time.
Summer wouldn’t be summer without our annual cookout with family and friends
Wish I had gone to the beach this year at Cape San Blas, Florida. It’s a beautiful spot and it’s been too hot this summer in south west Georgia to do much else. Glad you had a good summer and I for one am looking forward to and praying for an early fall!!