not-so-restful summer

And just like that...it's the middle of August.

I am not sure what I was thinking when I spent the spring dreaming of a restful, beautiful summer in the north.  I somehow pictured our first summer here would be filled with lazy afternoons in a hammock, mid- lake naps in our little red canoe, picnics on the beach, exploring new parks and hidden camping spots, late-nite campfires after glorious sunsets, meandering adventures with no real timeline... Apparently I forgot what summer is actually like: BUSY. Plus we bought a house.  That needs work.  Lots of work.  More busy.

And busy is the exact reason that it's the middle of August and much of my summer wish-list is not fulfilled. July was full of work, including 10 days on the boat and then a crazy whirlwind trip south for a family event, which while fun, was chaotic with a side of too-much-driving.  Throw in a few weekends of work outreach and house renos and voila, here we are.  Sadly, I didn't get to Khutzeymateen or a northern musical festival.  I haven't caught a halibut and no huckleberries have been picked.  There have a been a few beauty sunsets, like the one above, and a few campfires in our new backyard, but our little red canoe has been land-locked due to a small hole, my picnic basket is empty and I haven't done any north coast camping since June.

I'm not complaining though.  Summer always seems to go by too quickly and it's usually not until mid-November that I remember all the glorious stuff that occurred.  We've also been so lucky to have a ton of wonderful visitors, and more are still on their way.  I love sharing this place with people.

And...summer isn't over yet.  Perhaps this blog is a reminder to live up these last few glorious weeks.  To seek out a few more of those moments that will sustain me come winter time.

Summer, I'll make the best of you yet!