Summer

The word summer means a plethora of things to a great many people. It could be a day at the lake or maybe crushing frosty beverages at a weekend BBQ because that’s a rule. It could be a break from the kids after sending them off to camp for the week because you deserve it. It could also be floating down a scenic river or paddle boarding on a lake worthy of your presence without a care in the world because your babysitter is on point. That’s summer.

I might have become a teacher because of summer, but I’m honestly not sure. I just remember my Dad’s summer life as a teacher and mine as a student. Some days were boring because I didn’t appreciate the quiet serenity of the woods just yet and other days were as epic as epic days get. I remember going to Darien Lake, which is a Six Flags Amusement Park in New York State on a weekday and riding the same rollercoaster 10 times in a row because there was nobody in line. That’s summer. Most people just enjoy the water, sunshine and spritzers, which is just fine by me. The last few weeks though, I have truly come to appreciate the smells and sounds that summer can bring.

I drove by freshly cut hay a few days ago and took several big, deep breathes just to take it all in (without sneezing I might add). We also have beautiful wildflowers here in Colorado and I’ve been stopping to smell, admire and photograph them because they never seem to last quite long enough.

Summer weather here in Colorado can be wild too. It can go from 85 degrees and sunny to 35 degrees and freezing in a matter of minutes. If you hike the high country in the summer be mindful of the afternoon storms. I remember getting caught in one several years ago completely unprepared. Luckily, I was close to my vehicle. It was scary to feel the temperature plunge as the hail was pounding down on me while I was sprinting to my car with all of my fly fishing gear in tow. That hasn’t happened to me since that wet and wild afternoon, but it’s part of summer.

I always tell people, “Don’t forget to look up.” As an angler, I spend more time looking at my dry fly or bobber floating down the river hoping for a take, but I have been more mindful about looking up this summer. The hills are alive with color and every animal is having its heyday. When my best buddy Jared was visiting from New York, we saw a bear up on a hillside living its best life gorging on various grasses and wildflowers.

I also had a little mink come right up to me the other day as it was looking for some tasty morsels along the river. It saw me, paused for a second, and then took the high road because neither of us wanted to disturb the other.

Summer is a magical time that always zips by in the blink of an eye. If you’re on vacation or about to start one, savor it. Enjoy the time you have with your friends, family and random people you meet during your overseas journey or staycation. Life is too short not to enjoy every minute detail that summer has to offer.