Lately I’ve been getting restless for the warm weather. Now that winter is officially over, and Easter has come and gone, I’m ready to dive head first into summer.
I’ve never been the biggest spring girl. I feel like here in New England it tends to be muddy and brown till late May/early June, and the weather stays too chilly to head to the beach. This, on top of the fact that I just got a stand up paddle board that I am itching to use might be the source of my discontent. I’m definitely working on trying to live in the moment and enjoy the season I am in, but it’s definitely a work in progress.
One of the great things about spring, for me, is that it is the time to get excited about summer planning. I tend to get excited about vacations or adventure ideas a year in advance, but when it comes to the actual planning, that normally doesn’t shake out for me until a few months beforehand.
So far, the plans this summer involve: my little brother’s wedding, a trip to Charleston, as many visits to Maine as I can fit in, and maybe a Nantucket day trip for my birthday at the end of summer! Aside from the wedding, and the Charleston trip, the other ideas will probably be more spur of the moment day trips than anything, and won’t involve too much planning. (I have this terrible habit of planning every trip down to the last letter because I enjoy the planning process so much…but then when I am on the trip, I wish I had been more spontaneous! Haha! It’s a constant battle!)
Here are some tips I have for planning a great summer:
DON’T FORGET JUNE
I think June tends to be forgotten about, as summer starts in the middle/end of the month, and some people feel like the kick off to the summer is the 4th of July, plus…water tends to be warmer for swimming after July. But, the great thing about June being forgotten about is that it tends to be warm weather, yet quieter for tourist-ing. All the seasonal shops should be open by this time, but you won’t get the huge crowds like you do in July, August, and September. It may still be busier than the true off-season, but the peak season tends to start at the end of June, especially in New England.
DAY TRIPS ARE KEY
We don’t always tend to have the funds for constant weekend trips or week long stays throughout the summer, but I find that lots of people, especially around New England, don’t plan very many day-trips to places. Local spots are sometimes the best, and some of my favorite places to eat and hang out are random, little, out-of-the-way towns in the backwoods of New England. They don’t require a hotel night to enjoy, maybe an hour or more drive each way, but it’s worth it, and certainly a whole lot easier on your wallet than a three night stay somewhere.
I would recommend planning a day trip somewhere fun every couple of weeks or so, and by the end of summer, you will have seen so much of the state/region you live in. Plus then you can be the one to give your friends all the best food and sight recommendations for basically anywhere in the area!
BE ACTIVE
Get outside in nature and do something. Try hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or mountain biking, and get out and do it once a week or more, if you can. There is no better way to enjoy the summer than being out in the warm weather and sunshine, being active. You really will feel like your summer was spent well!
I hope these tips were a help, and I certainly know I will be working on following these rules so I can get the most out of this summer!