Summer is already halfway over; just how many things have you checked off your summer 2013 bucket list? It’s not too late to take advantage of summer must-dos, especially when you have the right list handy. If your summer days so far have involved little else than the usual commute to work and watching summer blockbusters, here are seven ideas to make the most of the season.
1. Take a road trip
Road trips don’t need to be expensive or even all that long. Choose somewhere close that you’ve never been to, such as a nearby waterfall or state park. Renting a car for a day can be especially affordable with car sharing services — plus, you don’t have to pay for gas. Round up your friends, chip in for meal stops, and discover someplace new.
2. Finish a great book
“Summer reading” is quintessential, but when’s the last time you buckled down with a good read? Whether it’s a trashy romance novel or a landmark in the literary canon you’ve been meaning to tackle, summer is the perfect time to do it. There are probably many books you want to read, and it all starts with just one.
3. Prep for autumn
Late summer is the perfect time to prepare your home for colder months. Have a plumbing contractor check the pipes, because a frozen and burst pipe for Christmas is no fun. Make sure the gutters are clean and trees are pruned and trimmed before they collect snow. You’ll be sitting pretty come Halloween.
4. Head to the water
Whether it’s an ocean, river, or lake, indulge in the beauty of Mother Nature and plan a trip to the local watering hole. You can picnic, swim, build sand castles, and soak up the sun. Most people don’t live far from some sort of cool relief, but when’s the last time you made a day of it? It’s a memory in the making.
5. Boost your workouts
It might already be bikini season, but there’s no rule that you can’t work on your beach body year-round. With more daylight hours, you naturally have more energy, which might mean starting an early morning routine or squeezing in an extra Zumba class in the evening. If you start working on it now, you’ll enjoy a fit body throughout the winter months and well into next summer.
6. Go wine tasting
There’s nothing like wine tasting under a warm summer sky. Check out a local vineyard you haven’t visited yet, or make it a group outing and invite your closest friends. You’ll have a blast rating each wine and the vineyards are often open to making a deal on the purchase of a bottle or case. There are also options for limo tours, so no one has to fight about who’s the designated driver.
7. Host an epic party
Summer is the season for parties, so isn’t it time you hosted one? Great food, a band, and good friends are all you need. Planning a party is fun, and it’s a great way to bring different social circles together. Whether it’s for Labor Day or a “just because” shindig, there’s no such thing as too many get-togethers.
What are you waiting for? Summer is here in full force and it’s time you busted out the swimsuit and party favors. Put the top down on the convertible, pick up a few juicy books at the local shop, and think about what kind of memories you want to make this summer. Family outings, friends getting together for happy hour, and of course a legendary party or two will make this one to remember.