by Allison Smith –
Summer on the West Coast seems to arrive so suddenly … one minute I’m frowning out the window as I gaze upon yet another low-teens, overcast day, and the next I’m sweltering in my jeans and hoodie at school pickup and need to quickly swap over my wardrobe.
Once summer truly hits, it feels like the pressure is on to make the most of every day. As much as we love where we live, we know that the weather, especially in the summer months, can be unpredictable. We might be in the middle of a long hot stretch with just sun in the forecast, only to wake up the next day to a downpour and cooler temperatures.
Every year I make a summer bucket list so I don’t forget about an activity I’ve been planning on doing. Inevitably some things get missed, or purposely nixed when the weather doesn’t cooperate, or visiting family members have their own itinerary.
The point is, my summer bucket list gets added to year after year and I never quite seem to check everything off. As I sit in my front yard with a book in my hand and the sun on my face, with only one trip planned and many – hopefully sunny and hot – days stretched out before me, I feel like I can ditch the list this year. As I readied this issue for press I couldn’t believe how full it is of ideas for ways to spend your time on the Saanich Peninsula this summer.
Whether it’s going on a new adventure every day (pg 9), trying one of the refreshing beverages from our Cocktail Shakeoff (pg 10), getting out on the water as you try paddleboarding (pg 13), working on your vegetable garden (pg 64) or checking out the Seaweed exhibit at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (pg 69), or so much more, consider our August issue your guide to the season. Seaside Magazine’s own Summer Bucket List, if you will. Have fun!
Photo by Janis Jean Photography.
Styled by Shai Thompson at House of Lily Koi, Sidney.
