Summer Bucket List

Last weekend I realized that summer is quickly passing us by. Before we know it, the weather will turn cooler, the boys will be back in school, and we'll be up to our eyeballs in school activities, soccer games, and cub scout activities.


It was time to pull out our "Summer Bucket List". It was time to do all those things we intended to do when the weather turned warm. Additionally, after weeks of camps and family trips and visiting relatives, it was time to reclaim part of the weekend for just the four of us.




Clearly, it was time for a family hike.



The boys and I had been twice to a particular hiking trail---once on our own and once with friends. And each time we all said to each other, we need to come back with Daddy.



So we did.





It did take some effort. Packing snacks, packing swimsuits, packing towels (and then forgetting them), and luring everyone out of bed and into the car.



It really was a good time. In a humid, miserable, buggy kind of way. It started off okay---excitement about finally getting out hiking (for the adults) and excitement over convincing Mom to bring jelly beans (for the under-nine crowd) kept us moving for the first half. But before long we were all sweaty and itchy and bug-bitten. With the shirt sticking to my back and bugs flying into my eyes, I couldn't stop thinking about the lake waiting for us at the end of the walk. The wonder of nature, the beauty of the woods? Totally lost on me. Additionally, the thought of snow and wind and cold seemed to be the sweetest thought in the whole entire universe. How was it that I ever, ever said a bad thing about winter?






But when we stopped for a moment on this bridge, a light breeze came up. And let me just say, that breeze was the most marvelous thing in the entire world. Forget gourmet meals, forget delicious wine, forget new furniture or a clean, organized house. Just give me a light breeze on a hot, humid day.

Perhaps that's why we do these things--to find joy again in the simplest things.

I have to think that they felt the same thing, in their own way. Alex learned the pleasure of a seat in the shade, found it whatever way possible. And Jameson, he thrilled in exploration of the little swampy pond we were walking over. (the heat didn't faze him at all)

We eventually finished the hike, despite the heat and bugs. We all happily changed into swimsuits and went swimming in the large lake, delighting in the pleasure of cool water on a hot day.

Before long, we were all pleasantly enough that the hot, humid hike was but a memory. Time well spent, I'd say.