Summer is the best season.

Yes, unfortunately my brain has been obsessing over the seasons lately. I don't know why it does that, but I'm going to roll with it. I miss summer already, and this is how I'm going to cope, so there. I've written stuff like this before, but this one will be better. Hopefully. 

Summertime is the best season, and here are the reasons why, in no particular order. 

1) The water. 

    In summertime, there is water everywhere. Pools, splash pads, water parks, and water playgrounds are no longer empty, but are instead filled with water that shimmers underneath the sunlight. Lakes and rivers are filled with people kayaking and playing in the water. The feeling of descending down the first water slide of summer, in late May, cannot be paralleled. The cool water all around you, the bright sun overhead, and the scintillating water droplets that surround you as you splash into the pool. Perfection. 

    I love gazing into the water of a swimming pool on a sunny day. The sun dances in such elegant patterns underneath its surface. And when I'm swimming, I love to look up and see the shimmering clouds and trees above me. Looking up at the sky from underwater is such a surreal experience. 

    Have you ever sat underneath a water umbrella and looked up? The water comes down all around you, casting dizzying patterns and sending light scattering everywhere. It feels so good to jump into the water after a hot afternoon walk! 

    Or sitting in a lazy river on a Saturday morning, drowsy from my long run, wearing my hat and sunglasses and swimsuit. I love watching the zebra dragonflies and listening to the laughter and chatter of people all around me, as I lay there in a half-doze. 

    And let's not forget about the sprinklers! I love running through sprinklers after a nice morning workout. It feels glorious. And if you're lucky, you'll see rainbows in the shimmering arcs of water! 

2) The blue skies. 

    Summer skies aren't always blue. But they often are. Whether they are pure blue, without a cloud in the sky, or are punctuated with cumulus clouds, they are always beautiful. Summer skies evoke a feeling of peace. I love putting down a towel after swimming and gazing up at the sky. And I love starting my runs as the sun rises, watching birds fly through the purple dawn. 

3) The workouts. 

    I love pushing myself through a hard workout on a summer's morning. I can go to the gym in shorts and a t-shirt, no matter how early it is, and then go to the park. I don't have to worry about facing school traffic when driving to my favorite running spots. Additionally, hiking! Summer hiking is lovely, you work up a good sweat, you see tons of wildlife, and the food always tastes delicious, even if it's just a simple PB&J and Cheez-Its. And oh, how beautiful the wildflowers are! 

    It feels so good to finish a 13.25 mile long run, then go to a water park and relax. To feel the soreness as you walk up the stairs, and feel the lovely cool water splashing all over you after a hot workout in the mountains. And getting a smoothie or Gatorade afterwards...YES!

    I also love swimming after work. It's such a great way to de-stress, and the sun will be out until 9 PM anyway, so there's no rush! 

     And taking a shower after a hike, run, or swim feels amazing. The sun shines through the streaming water, dazzling its way through your windows and shower curtains. It's magical, in a way. 

4) The amusement park rides. 

    Summer is peak theme park season! With Halloween events exploding in popularity these days, fall isn't really less crowded than summer is. So, you just have to arrive at your favorite theme parks early, and hit up as many rides as you can before lunch! 

    Speaking of lunch, I love sitting underneath an umbrella at a theme park on a hot day and devouring a giant burrito. I have an iron stomach, so maybe I'll ride the train to give myself a bit of a break but then go straight back to my roller coasters! 

    And then there's the smell of barbecues, cinnamon rolls, water, funnel cakes, pizza...Oh yes! 

    And we cannot forget about the carnivals. There are so many of them during the summer! It's so much fun to stop by a carnival for an hour and just ride awesome flat rides. 

5) The parks and walking paths

    Going to the park during the winter, late fall, or early spring is a chore. It's freezing, and I normally rush to finish my walk or run ASAP. 

    Not so during the summer. I love taking long walks at the park in the summertime shade, with a cool breeze blowing. Or walking alongside Utah Lake and admiring the turquoise water, feeling like I'm on another planet. I try to visit as many different parks as I possibly can during the summer. 

    Nothing can compare to swinging at the park early in the morning before all the kids get there, or on a quiet, hot, contemplative Sunday afternoon. It's like I'm a child again. 

6) The butterflies and dragonflies 

    I love spotting dragonflies and butterflies, and seeing how close they can get to me! It's so cool to see all the different colors they can take. 

7) Reading

    I love sitting at a picnic table at the park with a beloved book, fiction or nonfiction. I love sitting on my hammock and reading while rocking back and forth, then falling asleep for a nap in the shade. A simple peppermint spray on nearby surfaces is enough to keep the bugs away! 

8) The flowers and trees

    Summer is filled with color, in contrast with the ugly bleakness and darkness of winter. Green trees, blue skies, blue water, rainbow-colored flowers. Gardens are alive and vibrant. 

9) The warmth

    Even 90-100F weather feels amazing to me! Sitting on a park bench on a hot day is incredibly relaxing, especially in the shade. 

10) The ice cream, food trucks, shakes, and shaved ice 

    I love seeing ice cream trucks! The employees are always so nice. Same with food trucks. And getting shaved ice after playing a hot round of mini golf is amazing! And going out to eat, and sitting outdoors! Or eating snacks on my balcony. 

11) The zoo and aquarium

    You can go to the zoo anytime. But it's so much more fun to spend a sunny afternoon watching cool animals, then getting ice cream to cool off. The zoo is just a classic summer activity, you know? 

12) The beach

    I always make it to the beach at least once per summer. Once I eventually move out of Utah, I will go much more. I love seeing colorful umbrellas, feeling the warm sand, and watching the waves. It feels great to play in the water, too. 

13) The creative and intellectual activities

    This stuff happens all year. But there's something special about writing, drawing, doing digital art, coding, learning math and science, lucid dreaming, immersively daydreaming, singing, and playing music when it's warm and sunny out. I have so much more energy, and everything just seems so much more fascinating! Plus: Fourth of July concerts! 

    And there are always the songs of summer. Like Doing Time by Lana Del Rey, or Solar Power by Lorde. I love the memories they evoke. 

14) The indoor activities 

    Sometime, there are not-so-warm days in the summer. Or thunderstorms (gross). This is when it's time to break out the video games, TV shows, and internet! Or, go to the arcade. Again, these things can be done anytime, but I love doing them knowing that the sunlight and warmth will soon return! They are also fun to do on a warm Friday night, watching the sunny world all around me from my window, and making sure to get to bed early before my Saturday morning long runs! 

15) The summer movies

    I love getting to the movies early and playing at the arcade. Then, getting some good food and watching an awesome summer film. I love the feeling of the heat melting off you when you step into a cool, air-conditioned theater. It's 100000000x better than stepping into an overheated building in November and immediately starting to swelter in all your winter gear. 

~ 

Well, that's what I've got for now. I'm sure I'll edit and add more things as time goes on, but I have homework to do. I'll keep dreaming of the first day of May -- and until then, hunker down and get my creative work and fitness to a higher level so I can fully enjoy next summer and the progress I've made!