Summer may feel like it’s slipping away faster than a popsicle on a hot day. But fear not! There’s still plenty of time to pack in unforgettable memories. Let’s create a summer bucket list to help you savour every precious moment.
Embrace the Outdoors
Reconnect with Nature:
Spend a day hiking, camping, or simply picnicking in a local park.
There’s no shortage of nature for you to enjoy in the Durham Region. From Lynde Creek to Heber Down, east to the Ganaraska Forest and north to the Durham Regional Forest at Goodwood, you don’t have to go very far to enjoy a connection with nature.
Just make sure to bring the bug spray!
Water Wonders:
Whether it’s swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply lounging by the pool, make time for aquatic adventures.
Again, you don’t have to go very far to have some amazing water fun. Every town in Durham has plenty of splash pads for the kids. The local recreation centre pools have great hours, and with a little hunting you can find some amazing resort options for a day at a lake nearby. There’s always something to do in the water…you just have to get there and do it!
Or, set up a water park in your own yard.
Garden Glamour:
Get your hands dirty by tending to a garden or container plants. There’s something incredibly rewarding about nurturing life.
You know that fall is coming. You know it is. So take the initiative NOW and start tidying up those containers and beds. A little time spent now will go a long way towards making your outdoor space clean and cozy, and take a whole bunch of pressure off that mad scramble in October when you realize (like we usually do) just how much undergrowth we’ve…ahem…conveniently ignored over the summer.
Late summer is a hot rush for a lot of plants, and they’ll start going a little wild. Get things under control now. That time in the garden is never wasted.
Indulge Your Senses
Taste the Summer:
Explore local farmers markets. Try new ice cream flavours. Host a barbecue with friends.
It isn’t hard to find abundance at this time of year. If you’re lucky enough to be at the Uxbridge or Newmarket farmers markets this time of year, keep an eye out for Square Spoon, whose amazing homemade ice creams and sorbets are unique and next level. (No joke…her raspberry sorbet is Steve’s new favourite.)
Do a farm-to-table BBQ with friends by planning an incredible menu, then stopping by a local market for farm-fresh produce, meats, spices, and even desserts, wine, craft beer, and locally-harvested and produced cider. You will NOT be disappointed by the freshness on full display!
Savour the Moments:
Read a captivating book. Listen to the waves crash on the shore. Simply enjoy the quiet stillness of nature.
Or why not do all three? Head down to the lake with a comfy lounge chair and a good book. Be sure to pack something to nibble on and an extra bottle of water, and just enjoy some peace and quiet.
Capture the Magic
Take up photography. Create a summer scrapbook.
There’s a saying: everyone who owns a piano, owns a piano; but everyone who owns a camera is a photographer.
Of course that’s not true…photography is an art unto itself. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting great snaps. Whether its with your smartphone or a nice SLR, your photos are for YOU to remember your seasons. So don’t be stingy! Besides, Amazon Prime lets you store an unlimited number of photos on your account for free, so there’s no reason not to go shutter crazy.
If you’re looking for a great activity to do, either on your own or with your kids, take your summer souvenirs (and some of those great photos) and start a scrapbook. Make sure you label it well and that everything is stuck down. This can become a great summer tradition as your littles grow, and bring years of memories for you and your whole family.
Create Lasting Memories
Adventure Awaits:
Explore a new city or take a spontaneous road trip.
Or even better, dig deeper into the sights and attractions in your own town. Just be a tourist for a day and go sightseeing, take a tour, or even set yourself a restaurant crawl. When we get into our own habits, we often forget that there’s a world of taste and adventure right in our own backyard.
But let’s be real: road trips are pretty great too.
Quality Time:
Spend quality time with loved ones, whether it’s a family game night, a movie under the stars, or a simple dinner together.
Never forget that even though it may seem like there’s no time to do anything, we really have all the time in the world. Make a point of spending that time wisely with people you care about. They might not remember your professional accomplishments or see your hours of overtime as a badge of honour. But they will remember the times you laughed together, got silly, got messy, and felt at home.
Learn Something New:
Take a cooking class. Start a new instrument. Pick up a new hobby.
In our house we have a saying:
“It’s OK to just try stuff.”
On your own or as a team, there’s nothing wrong with a little personal growth. You don’t have to become Eddie Van Halen…just pick up a guitar and take a few online lessons. You’re not aiming for perfection. You’re expanding your horizons. There are plenty of things you can search up…maybe a free dance lesson or an online course in making dyes from plants in your yard.
It doesn’t have to be a big deal. Check out Groupon or WagJag for some ideas. Just know that once you’ve tried it you might very well enjoy it enough to stick with it.
And remember…it’s OK to just try stuff.
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What’s on your summer bucket list? Any grand tours or fun weekends out to fuel your last few weeks of sunshine? Let us know in the comments!