Summer Bucket List

A new city, a new summer and new adventures to be had. Summer 2018, I am so excited for you! So let’s just get right to it, the ULTIMATE (kinda, I think it’s pretty badass and also inexpensive and all mostly local) SUMMER BUCKET LIST!

RENT A BIKE & TOUR THE CITY

All over Toronto (and I’m sure many other cities) are public bikes to rent and ride throughout the city until you’re ready to lock it back up again at one of the many lock up stations. We don’t own bikes, but the bike paths all over the area are endless and very accessible, so renting them just for a day would be a great way to explore our new neighbourhood and beyond!

GO ON A WINE TOUR

Ah the classic summer wine tour. A road I’ve been down many times and just can’t seem to stray away from. Drive to one winery, do a tasting, walk to several more, have a few more glasses, end the day with a lovely wine buzz and an assortment of wine you didn’t know you needed. But it’s wine. So of course you need it. An easy day trip with some lovely people and you’ve got yourself a summer sip session.

BEACH DAY

Cliché, but for a good reason. Beaches, sand, waves, a sneaky cooler and maybe even some volleyball if you’re wearing a supportive enough bikini top. Also this body needs a tan!

CHECK OUT THE BATTING CAGES

This is something so uncharacteristically me, but also very hollywood summer blockbuster. And as aforementioned, I do like a good cliché. Since moving to Toronto, there are some batting cages not too far from me. So if not now, then when?!

GO TO THE DRIVE IN

Over the years I’ve come to meet many people that really dislike the drive in. I would go so far as to say there are people who even *hate* the drive in. But I think they’re just confused. The purpose of the drive in isn’t to see that critically acclaimed film you’ve been longing to see. The purpose of the drive in is to embrace it’s natural ambiance with the backdrop of some cheesy flick! This includes gorging on junk food, keeping warm under mountains of pillows and blankets and not leaving in between features when the dancing hot dogs come on the screen to entertain us. (Because everyone knows that’s the real critically acclaimed film we’re all longing to see)

WATCH THE FIREWORKS

Kanye really said it best, “all of the lights”

HAVE A BONFIRE & MAKE SMORES

There’s something just so satisfying about roasting a perfectly gold toasted marshmallow. Browned on the outside, gooey on the inside. Being able to indulge in this creation while it’s covered in chocolate (and oreos if you’re a smoreo kind of person like me) is even more satisfying. Every bite is like a bite into the past. The taste of a summer lived out many years ago. Sticky hands, dirty feet and messy hair means childhood. And smores can really do that to ya.

TRIP TO THE COTTAGE

A place where I’ll probably end up with sticky hands, dirty feet and messy hair. But so worth it for the peace and serenity that is the cottage up north. Morning coffee on the dock, evening wine on the deck and quiet lakeside activities in between.

HIKE ON A NEW TRAIL

For the days when it’s 25 and sunny and there actually isn’t a heat warning, maybe skip the gym and hit the trails.

GO TO A BASEBALL GAME

Another easy peasy one but just so quintessentially summer! Grab some pals, grab a snack and sit down to cheer on your favourite team.

PADDLEBOARD

Did this for the first time last summer and LOVED it. Depending on the pace I was going at, it was both a vigorous physical activity or a state of relaxation. Followed by just lying on the thing and catching a tan, I definitely want to try this again.

GO TO AN OUTDOOR CONCERT

‘Outdoor concert’ and ‘perfect weather’ are not always one in the same. But that’s what makes it so much fun! When it’s warm out, you aren’t sick and it’s a band you absolutely love, it doesn’t matter if it’s hot and sunny, or pouring rain. I’ve experienced both, and always end up leaving the concert feeling the same way: exhilarated.

LEARN TO MAKE COLDBREW 

It’s been a long time coming and lots of research has gone into this, so I think it’s time we end our addiction and long term relationship with Starbs and learn how to make iced coffee ourselves. No I don’t just mean coffee poured over iced cubes. I mean a good, lengthy cold brew that’s been steeping for hours. It’s gunna happen.

GO TO A CARNIVAL

Growing up my family and I went to the CNE in Toronto every year. It’s the biggest carnival there is, full of rides, games, food and fun. I haven’t been in years, but seeing as I’m now so much closer to it than ever before, I think it’s time that I go. Go for the deep fried cheesecake bar or pancake bacon tacos or whatever novelty food they’ve got going this year, stay for the deep waves of childhood nostalgia.

CHASE DOWN AN ICE CREAM TRUCK

Since moving to our new apartment, we have, I kid you not, seen an ice cream truck drive by our apartment about five different times. It starts with the faint sound of the song ‘Do Your Ears Hang Low?’ played in soft melodic chimes, coming from outside one of our windows. We look out the front window and see nothing. The sound grows stronger and we begin looking out every window on all sides of the apartment wondering if the sound is coming from the North, East, South or West. And then, as if we could have been waiting on the street the whole time in anticipation, we see it drive by our living room window, and we’re heartbroken. Confused and heartbroken. How did it get here to fast? Will it come back? Where did it even come from? Well, considering we live on a one way street, there’s only one answer to that last question. Yet still, we wonder… But next time there will be no wondering. Only waiting. Waiting with cash in hand, ready to flag down that truck so fast he’ll be the the one wondering where WE came from.

Happy summer everyone!  Are you planning on doing anything on this list? Is there something on your own list that I don’t have on mine? Let me know in the comments and let’s collaborate on how to have the BEST SUMMMAAA EVAAAA

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