Living on the West coast also known as the Wet coast if anyone knows how to enjoy spring, summer, winter or fall it’s us! Summer just manages to ramp the pleasure up a few notches.

Today, we were having breakfast at a beautiful resort restaurant not too far from where we live. My mother, who had joined us for the weekend, commented on how nice it was to see this very large family gather together to dine. Their summer vacation, possibly a reunion but whatever the reason to gather there was lots of smiles and chatter. Dining out in general changes over these months as we have more evenings out on our patio at home and can often hear neighbours in their back yards doing the exact same thing.

There is also a multitude of bikes, kayaks and canoes strapped on to vehicles destined for the favourite spots. Boats being towed to lakes, rivers and oceans for launch or busy marinas with the vessels coming and going; bound for islands and coves. Hikers hit mountains and paths, runners and walkers out on the streets and tracks. Campers loading the car up and those with more of a need for the creature comforts of home outfit their travel trailers for destinations known or unknown.

It is an amazing time of year and though you get the occasional reminder mother nature still holds the cards as far as weather goes, it’s all good! There are times throughout the year we gather to celebrate for this or that but summer, to me, feels like one big party. You sprinkle in the hours of work with the sole purpose of getting to the next moment to kick the shoes off and place those feet in the sand, on the grass or paddling in the water.

There are projects to be done but at least at the end of the day you can’t beat what summer has to offer food, family and fun!