Summer Traditions? What did you do last summer? Or most summers?

Summer is right around the corner, and the family is looking forward to the end of school year, camping, swimming, and of course huddling indoors around a fully functional AC unit that could put snow in the Sahara. But in all seriousness, summer is another one of those amazing times of year that comes and goes far too quickly, and I feel like I take the season, weather, and our annual events for granted. Not this year. I am determined to truly savor the warmer months (more like weeks) in Washington State and make some wonderful memories like we did when we were children.

Since I am asking about your traditions, I feel obligated to share some of mine. Well, traditions tend to change as we grow and branch off to grow our own families. So, I'll tell you old and new annual summer events. For starters, when I was a young lad, my family was dedicated to running out to the east side of Washington State. The northern Cascade mountains, in particular. We would enjoy anywhere from one to two weeks in the heat, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and finding anyway possible to keep cool. Generally, in the pursuit, my skin would redden, and I would appear more similar to a bottom feeding crustacean after each trip. I am thankfully better now at applying sunscreen. Sunburns have continued to stay with me as a regular tradition, I am just better at managing their severity.

A new tradition, we do most years as a family of four, my wife, two sons, and myself is go camping. My wife and her family were big campers, and when we got together, she quickly indoctrinated me in the ways of the camper. Well, turns out, I love camping. I've always loved being outdoors, so the transition and experience was an easy one for me to adjust to. The family's favorite areas range from Granite Falls to Anderson Island. Depending on time we will take long trips or a few long weekend getaways to connect with nature, unplug, and connect as a family.

Anything we do during the summer must involve absorbing as much Vitamin D as possible! We have to stock up as much as we can to prevent rusting or molding in the darker cooler months. You know the other 49 weeks out of the year. Thank you for reading!