If you live in the Northwest, or know anyone that does, then you have undoubtedly heard the old adage that “summer doesn’t start here until July 5^th.”  And it’s usually a true statement.  While the Eastern seaboard was melting under 100+ degree conditions, Colorado was fighting wildfires and the nation’s capital was without air conditioning, we were still sporting our rain parkas and lamenting our pasty white bodies.  Then, suddenly, our barometer joined the rest of the country and our 8-week long summer began.  Other than the wild middle-of-the-night crazy thunder and lightning storm last week, we haven’t had a drop of rain.  Bright blue skies have greeted us every morning since.  It has truly been glorious.

As tough as it is to sludge through the never ending gray and drizzly days, I have to say that there really is no place like our neck of the woods come July and August.  Being surrounded by so many bodies of water and majestic mountains, there is no shortage of ways to spend your time.  The down side of this is that you want to make the most of every single moment and be outside more than inside.  It feels like a frenzy to fit it all in before the rain returns.  But it’s just what we do in these parts.  The housework can wait—and something tells me it will still be waiting for me come September.

Back in early June when we were all waiting for warmer days, I heard one of our local DJ’s say, “What’s on your summer bucket list?”  I’ve never made a general bucket list, much less a summer one but it’s always been one of those things that falls under the “I’ll get around to it” or “Someday” category.  Well, this year I decided that “someday” was here.  After 9 straight months of my time not being by own, I was more than ready to conquer a list that I authored.

I know that 56 days doesn’t give me much time, and I might be biting off more than I can chew, but as my boys like to say: "Go Big or Go Home!"

Dana’s Summer Bucket List 2012