All right, y’all, I think it’s about time we take a slight step back away from all this Streams in the Wasteland promo here on CWC.

I know I could probably go on talking about it forever. It’s a pretty huge deal for me to be able to say I accomplished the task of writing a devotional eBook. And I desperately want to get this FREE resource in your hands, but, as they say, the show must go on.

And Country Wife Chronicles, though it has been a bit consumed by all things Streams in the Wasteland, is about more than just finding hope in the hardship. If you are a new reader to CWC and you were drawn in by the promotion of Streams in the Wasteland, first of all, I welcome you! Secondly, we’ve got a lot to catch up on, don’t we?

I invite you to check out the blog a bit while you are here. Peruse the About Page; or check out the various categories above—Country Life, Simple Life, and Fire Life. Even take a peek at a few of my shared recipes.

Today, we are rounding out our “Enjoying the Great Outdoors” series here on Country Wife Chronicles. Because, well, we are already into July and I’d say that’s a call to action for outdoor summer activities!

How’s your summer been thus far? What have you been up to? Have you had any outdoor adventures, yet? Are you stuck for ideas on ways to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors this summer?

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Ok, full disclosure; summer is NOT my favorite season. There are summer people and winter people in this world. I’m the latter.

I pretty much despise being hot…any time of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I love the outdoors and I pride myself on my efforts to spend time outside in nature daily. But summer…ugh. The heat. The mosquitos. Have I mentioned that we currently live in the Deep South? This fact does not help me to appreciate the summer months. I’d much prefer to spend my time in air conditioning come June, July, and August.

So, yeah, I love the outdoor activities I’m about to share with you today; but I have to sort of get creative to put them in action for Wildland Man and I. Hopefully this list will inspire you to step out of the AC and take in all that nature has to offer. Even if you are a winter bum like me.

Ten Outdoor Summertime Activities

1. 1) Get Active: Summer is the perfect time to get outside and get active. The days are longer, the temps are warmer, the outdoors are alive with activity. Maybe you are working towards a summertime fitness goal. Or maybe you just finally have the time to head to those hiking trails in the area you’ve been meaning to check out. Hop on your bike and take a long ride on the weekend. Or rent a kayak and explore the waterways near you!
2. 2) Sky Watch: I’m a sucker for weather. I love to watch storm clouds rolling in and feel the downdraft right before the rain starts. Now, I’m not suggesting you become an amateur storm chaser or anything, I’m just saying, “Take some time to observe the sky this summer!” Do a little night sky viewing and check out the summertime constellations. Linger outside long enough to wait for the sun to dip down below the horizon after a color-filled sunset.
3. 3) Garden: Nothing beats a meal straight from the garden! If you have yet to try your hand at gardening, then get yourself a little plot started this summer. You’ll be able to harvest your efforts in no time and put a farm fresh salad on the table in just a few months! Even a small herb garden can enhance your summer menu!
4. 4) Go Camping: Have you noticed that camping has made almost every “Enjoying the Great Outdoors” bucket list Country Wife Chronicles has put out there? What can I say, I love to camp. The irony is that, personally, summer is my least favorite time of the year to go camping. However, it is the most popular season for this outdoor adventure for the whole family. So, go on now and pack up the cooler and the tent or camper and head outdoors for a weekend or two!
5. 5) Ditch the TV: Wildland Man and I are on a “no-TV” kick right now. It seems like we don’t hardly watch television anymore and we get SO much more done when the TV just never gets turned on. Summer is the perfect time to go TV-free. Try it out for a day, or a week, or a month, and see what you think. Take on the challenge to have a TV-Free Summer. You might just be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a day without the distraction of TV in your home! Plus, with the TV off, there is all the more reason to spend some more of your time enjoying the great outdoors!
6. 6) Play with your Pooch: Next month we will have had our pup, Lune, for one year. I’ve so enjoyed the pleasure of canine company once again in our lives. Lune is definitely my dog; she just doesn’t love the summer heat. But, the longer days do allow for us to get outside to play and train a bit more than we can during winter. She breaks up my day with games of fetch and Frisbee and I’m looking forward to getting her out to the beach this summer, too. If you have a beloved pooch, try some new games in the yard or check out a local dog park together. You could even find some dog-friendly sidewalk cafes or walking trails. Let your dog be an excuse to get outdoors this summer!
7. 7) Plan a Parks Tour: If you have the time and freedom to go on a road trip, I must recommend a National Park tour for the whole family! Grab your annual pass for all the parks and cross off as many as you can on the road trip adventure of a lifetime! If this activity seems a bit daunting, then take the same concept and apply it to your local parks. What state or wildlife parks do you have in your area? How many could you knock out in a day or two? Plan an outing for the whole family and take advantage of these nature havens.
8. 8) Grill Out / Picnic: Summer is the perfect time for dining al fresco. You can grill out, roast hot dogs over the fire, take a picnic to the beach, or just enjoy a meal on the deck. Take a moment to soak in the sights and sounds around you while you eat your meal in peace and quiet. Or gather up a crowd and enjoy conversation and fellowship in Mother Nature.
9. 9) Hit the Beach / Pool: The best way to cool off from the summer heat is to get in the water! Make a splash at the lake or throw together some fun water games that can be done right in your own back yard. Take the kids to the pool or the beach and have some fun in the sun this summer!
10. 10) Enjoy S’mores on the Fire: We used to live in the Midwest and we had the perfect set up for a backyard fire pit. We pretty much lived out there by that fire pit from spring until fall. We roasted hot dogs, grilled burgers over the flames, and even made some favorites in the Dutch oven over the coals. And of course, every meal ended with s’mores! I loved being present as the day passed into night. The locusts would come alive, the sky would be painted in hues of red and purple, and the fire would crackle and burn. And the chocolately, ooey-gooeyness of the s’mores would be the highlight of the night! Summer just isn’t summer without s’mores!

What’s On Your Bucket List?

So, what are your favorite summertime activities to do outdoors? Leave a comment below and let me know!

And if you aren’t sure about where to start, here’s a handy-dandy Summer Bucket List printable just for you!

Summer is here…so go on now, and get outside and enjoy it!

Be Still & Know…

Disclaimer: Please know that I am by no means an outdoor expert or authority on summer. But I do know that with summertime outdoor activities often come sunburns, heat exhaustion, or even not so pleasant run-ins with poison ivy, fire ants, snakes, bears, and more. So, please take precautions when heading outdoors this summer. Slather on the sunscreen, grab your floppy hat, pack lots and lots of water. Listen to your body, don’t stay out in the heat excessively long, and be aware of your natural surroundings.