Did I miss summer?!!

Every year at the summer solstice, I get this panicked feeling. I clutch my proverbial pearls and think, OH. MY. GOSH. I missed summer. The days are already getting shorter. I think we can all agree that this is plain old ridiculous. The summer solstice is in June and around here, we joke that summer doesn’t actually start until July 5th. If you are new to the PNW I’ll clue you in: Very often, on July 4th, when the whole rest of the United States of America seems to be bbq-ing, boating, swimming and sunning themselves with a cold beer or lemonade in hand, here in western WA it is overcast, chilly or even raining. But not to despair (of course, do grumble, its your right and responsibility), as little orphan Annie famously sang, “the sun will come out to-mor-row”.

exhibit a: How we dress in June/summer before July 5th. Puffer coats, knit hats or hoodies, fur blankets. exhibit b: 1980's hair + Maryland summer foreheads.

Fast forward to about August 13th-ish when we’ll wake up and there will be that undeniable crisp feeling in the air and we will just know that fall has fallen. So basically, that leaves us approximately 7-8 weeks to soak up every glorious, gorgeous, utopian minute of our ridiculously perfect summer days. If you have lived here your whole life, I will additionally clue you in: I grew up in places like Maryland (don’t even get me started on my summer visits to my cajun kin in Louisiana) where we would shower, load on the aqua net to maximize our Madonna hair, de-shine our faces with pressed powder and head out the front door at 7pm for the party only to be smacked in the face with 91 degree heat and 107% humidity (*slight exaggeration). Insert immediately: sweaty forehead (we didn’t do the dewey look in the 80’s so that was not a good thing) and limp hair (see aforementioned 80’s reference). Lots of words to say, we LIVE for these PNW summer days. I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t want to be repeating my usual fall refrain of “next summer I’m going to……..”

Here are things I will definitely do:

1) Vacation for a few days. We have our favorite little 2-star “resort” where we stay in cabins built in 1930’s with no cell, no wi-fi, no tv. Just the sound of the waves, sunrises, sunsets, coffee, cocktails, hiking and lots of just being. We always say we’ll do something like a boating tour or an island hop but we never do. Because being there is always just right.

2) Get oysters and crab cakes at Hama Hama. We actually go there all year round because it’s delicious but also, there is an outdoor saloon (call for reservations, it got really popular during Covid) where you can get wine and beer, yummy seafood, sometimes there are guest chefs and musicians and it is all on the Hood canal, so pretty! So perfectly PNW. The drive through Belfair to Union and around is stunning Hood Canal and mountain view material. Definitely the scenic route. *fun fact: Hama Hama is actually spelled Hamma Hamma but 100 years ago when they were naming the place, they paid by the letter. LOL.

3) Since we drove all this way, we’ll stop at Ranger Hole trail for a stunning (and not very long) hike. This is what people who live in other places and loved the Twilight books think the PNW looks like (raise you hand secretly if you did. I may or may not have devoured them like the 12 year old girl I still am inside). A canopy of enormous old growth trees covered in lush, brightly vibrant moss and crystal clear creeks cascading violently through a boulder-cut. *question: team Jacob or team Edward? I need to know. Message me. Privately. This will be just between you and me. I promise.

4) Hike at Fort Worden. Again, this is an all-year-round thing for us. We have our favorite route that circles the park where we stop and look out over the water across to the San Juans, rest on the concrete bench and watch the ferries go by and make up stories about our fellow tourists. We’ll follow this up with bloody marys’ and nachos on the outdoor deck of Sirens pub, fish tacos from the taco stand in the boat yard or sushi at the noodle house.*rumor/lore/historical fact: Sirens was originally a brothel back when Port Townsend was a bustling shipping hub slated to become Washington state’s capital. I imagine an Amsterdam-like scene with those interior windows in the third story entry hall to the pub.

5) Have a party. I am an introvert and I also LOVE people. So, hosting a party feels daunting but it is always, always worth it. Here is one thing that makes it easier; ask guests to bring an appetizer and drink to share. There is always more than enough to go around and it’s always delicious (plus easy). Also, it gives guests a sense of ownership and everyone loves that. If a full blown party is not your deal, how about a neighborhood happy hour? We did this a few weeks back with a set beginning and end time (5-7pm) and it was a perfect way to dip our toes into getting to know the people who we only usually briefly chat up as we walk our dogs. Try hosting friends around the campfire (s’mores and all) which is easy peasy and you get to enjoy being outside. *bonus party points for silly: throw in an unexpected dress code or theme. All party attendees at our recent 50th celebration for our friend @tannasibon were encouraged to wear sequins. It is 3 months later and we still find sequins on our dirt path to the driveway, embedded in the carpet upstairs or glittering innocently in the corners of the living room. Another fun idea that I am DYING to do is color blocking and/or wigs and/or rainbow theme. Why? Because it’s fun and everyone will be laughing before the first cocktail is poured.

6) Enjoy an outdoor concert. Poulsbo has them, so does the Clearwater Casino. So does Bremerton. So do most of our little communities here in Kitsap. It is so much fun to shake your booty and inevitably run into people you love but forgot you even knew.

7) Say yes when a friend (you know who you are Damian) asks us if we want to have drinks (for the 27th time) on the deck of their boat. We didn’t need to leave the slip to be utterly converted to the nautical lifestyle. We’ve been “shopping” for boats every day since. * substitute: join us for drinks in any location if it doesn’t happen to be a beautiful Hans Christian sailboat. The point is SAY YES to people. Friendships. Fun. Boats. *disclaimer: we will likely never actually buy a boat but it’s fun to dream.

8) Be outside every single possible moment. I drink my coffee outside on the deck with a heavy fur blanket if necessary and finish the day with happy hour on that same deck. I cannot get enough of being outside.

Things I want to do but haven’t yet;

1) Ride the ducks. DM me if you’re in.

2) Road trip to Whistler or Banff. I’ve never been to either. While I am there enjoying the majesty of nature I will also indulge in some delicious Canadian candy and junk food fondly remembered from my childhood: sponge toffee, smarties, coffee crisp chocolate bars, butter tarts and salt and vinegar potato chips (yes, we do have them here but they’re not the same. The Canadian version leaves your tongue feeling like you just ate an entire fresh pineapple).

3) Participate in a color run. Notice I didn’t say “run” in a color run. Because running isn’t the point, plus I could run about 2 blocks and only if an animal was chasing me.

Before we know it, the days will shorten and darken. The rains will come and we will put away our outdoor furniture and turn attentions towards the fireplace, the indoor sofas and the holidays. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world Let’s DO this summer!!

What about you? What do you love about summer? What do you always say you’re going to do this summer and somehow don’t seem to get around to?