Those Summer Days
We’re autumn fanatics. No question about it.
However, as the blustery weather starts to kick in, we’re finding that we’re having a sentimental moment or two when we think back to the days of summer.
2011 will go down in the books as housing the summer of camping and hiking madness. In honor of that, we want to take a walk down memory lane – and we’re dragging you with us.
Our time in Glacier National Park and Alaska was about a lot more than the drama of never ending bear scares, life changing events and annoying co-tourists. We did, you know, normal stuff and had normal moments as well. Like eating and making a living. Gasp.
A day in the life of us… summer edition:
First up… We usually wake to something like this waiting for us outside of the tent. No joke.
Oftentimes, on a transition day, breakfast is made while camp tear-down is going on. Multi-tasking… something we learned in the corporate world.
Mmmm. Oatmeal with cranberries.
Then the not so glamorous part. Oftentimes, before settling into a new camp, we’ll need to load up on supplies. Rejiggering/preparing the cooler is a constant event. Especially when your brand new cooler leaks. Yep, like this one.
Back in the wilderness and preparing for a big hike, we’ll often squeeze in a little bear spray confidence-building time. Is this how this thing works?
At our new camp, it’s time to get all situated and load the pack with food to sustain us for a day of hiking. Here’s a typical lunch.
Finally, we’re off to enjoy why we’re doing this in the first place. This is typical of our preferred surroundings on any given day.
We try to plan our work so that the volume is minimized during outdoor adventures. When we do have to do some catching up, we try to pick an ideal setting. Here, we found wireless access at a picnic table near a motel.
When we have to spend some more serious time working – you know, at a desk – we’ll usually settle in at a hotel’s common area.
We stay pretty active hiking, so carbo loading happens all day. Lucky us! Pasta is a pretty typical camp dinner followed by (way too many) sweets and some whiskey to make the tent bearable.
Okay summertime, we’re ready to say goodbye. Next year, we’ll do it all over again. Without the leaking cooler, that is!
What sticks in your mind about summertime?
Thanks for taking us along on a retrospective of your summer. Sounds like a memorable one. Mine was, too. Just way too fast. I’ll always think of my trip to Germany, Holland and Belgium when I think back on the summer of 2011.
It may be a little early to feel nostalgic about summer, but it was such a darn good summer! Sounds like yours was too.
It’s amazing how fast this year has gone by! I love the Fall as well – it’s my favorite time of year. You guys had a busy summer but you also had some tough things happen – death in the family, death while hiking, bears. You had some good and some bad!
Crazy how the time flies, isn’t it. The dynamic nature of the summer – death and life, beauty and tragedy – is what makes things interesting and memorable. All we can do is embrace all of these things as part of the journey and appreciate every day that we have. That is our goal.
Loved this! Took me back to caravanning days with my parents as a kid in Australia.
Aw, camping with the family. I prefer camping with Kent.
Fall is my favorite time for hiking, with the leaves changing colors and the crispness in the air and the trails aren’t as busy as in summer. I love your spot for wireless!
Generally speaking, Summer is something I “bear” while waiting for fall to arrive. This summer was so fun that I wasn’t quite ready. Now that it is here, I am 100% on board. Bring on the storms and the fall colors!
Love the “typical lunch!” When I was first camping (a LONG time ago), we always had PB&J, a warm orange (yuk) and a usually half-melted Hershey bar (yum). I like your choices way better!
Have a good weekend!
Nancy
Those sandwiches are GOOD.
You just reminded me of a time when we stopped to enjoy lunch on a hike and ended up sitting next to a couple. They had these skinny little PB&J’s and we pulled out these fat hummus and veggie sandwiches. The envy was palpable.
Sounds like you’ve had quite a few perfect days. I think I would be practicing with the bear spray a lot too
Let’s hope we never have to use it. I am quite certain the stance would not be quite so “assured.”
I used to hate fall because it meant the end of summer and the beginning of that dreadful season that brings snow, but autumn has grown on me. Changing leaves and eating pumpkin all the time and getting to wear cute scarves… autumn rocks.
I still miss summer, though. =(
Ah, yes. Pumpkin and cute scarves. Don’t forget butter nut squash and pressed cider.
1st off wow… love the pics of yall. Caanan the photo of you on the computer is so cute & Kent the photo of you holding the spray is hot! Sorry I just had to share my thoughts…lol!!! Y’all have had an amazing summer and even though I am on the road as well Im glad I was able to follow along and learn about another part of the world one day I want to explore. When I think of Summertime I think of beaches and I feel like this summer I did not do enough of that. So I know for sure next year I am planning to beach bum around SEA. I have pllenty of time to get in shape for my lil turnks
~
Thanks Mr. T! You definitely need to get Glacier National Park and Alaska on your list. It’s quite a bit less expensive than Europe!
Love the picture of the glacier! IF only we all woke up to that view everyday, huh! What I miss most about summer here in Seattle? The SUN!
You can see why we have to go back to Glacier every year! As for the sun in Seattle, you have to admit, this fall has been pretty darn nice so far.
Definitely makes me think back to our trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway this summer. That was just so awesome. My favorite memory of summer…
Such a beautiful part of the world!
The Indian summer here in Mumbai is hot and sticky. Its super humid and super hot!! Winter is about to kick in here, which brings in pleasant weather.
The pics are fabulous, especially the first one.
Have a wonderful weekend:)
That does not sound pleasant at all. On the plus side, when the cooler weather arrives, you have really appreciate it!
You have a great weekend as well!
But you get used to it!!
Have you guys been to India, you will enjoy being here:)
Mental note to self: make whiskey part of camping packing list. Fall can also be a good time for camping in the desert. By the way, loving the new profile photo.
Digital note to Grace: Make whiskey part of camping packing list.
Nice recap. I love the first photo – great reflection!
Isn’t that beautiful?! It was fairly early in the morning and the water was so still. I think it is the only time we have ever seen it so placid.
Making me nostalgic already! Although, mine wasn’t filled with quite so much adventure
I have “typical lunch” envy.
I hear you! That really isn’t a bad typical lunch, is it? Especially for camping…
I love the Autumn too! Celebrated this past week by using an Autumn work gig as an excuse to drive from BC to Ontario. Beautiful!
~ Emme
That’s a drive we want to make one day.
Glad to hear that you guys enjoyed this trip to Alaska!
Yes… and we already want to go back!
Get you with the oatmeal and cranberries. And what, I might ask, is the problem with cheese sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Sounds like a summer to remember!
I know…. it’s like a Centrum commercial! And you will get no complaints from us about cheese sandwiches.
Wow! What a beautiful area! Summer is just beginning here in New Zealand and I am really looking foreward to getting in some hikes and camping time!
Thanks, Jade. Enjoy every second of summertime down there.
That is the nicest camping sandwich I’ve ever seen in my life. Seriously. I think the last one we had was sad soggy bread with some $2 ham on it.
Come on, Erica – you’ve gotta bust out the hummus, the veggies, the cheese bagels.
there’s only 2 season here in malaysia, rain or shine. ahhahahha….. the sharingcertainly an eye opener
Wow, amazing glacier picture! Thanks for sharing!