A Little Reflection of This summer
As often is the case, time seemed to fly by this summer and my brain is finally trying to catch up. I’ve been so caught up in transitioning to autumn, which was rather abrupt, that I haven’t had a moment to sit and reflect, look at pictures and take in the last 3 months. At the end of August it felt like a switch was flipped from warm summer days to changing leaves, cool mornings and a sudden gear shift. Today, I’m going to slow down, sip a warm cup of vanilla coffee and purposefully take that moment remember this summer.
The Slow Start
Every year, summer seems to hit like a sudden wave of heat and adrenaline from a bustling schedule to try and fit in all of the things. But this year felt different. It didn't start with a bang but rather breathed in slowly.
June arrived, but the usual frantic energy of the season didn't come with it. Instead, the early weeks of the season felt remarkably quiet. The mornings lingered in cool mists, and the afternoons stretched out without the usual rush to pack every hour with activity. I found myself matching that rhythm. It was a time for slow coffee in the sunshine, unhurried walks, and letting the tension I didn’t know I had melt away. I didn’t realize it then, but this quiet, steady build-up was exactly what my body needed.
We had some fun too but it was simple and local. We made it out on the paddle boards (which turned out to be the only time this summer), attended my son’s karting races, I got to drive a side by side for my first time and lots and lots of simple walks to the park. Those park walks have been such a grounding part of this entire summer. Happy kids, sunsets, crickets and watching the light change.
Then July came and brought us the summer solstice—the peak of the light.
It’s easy to look at the solstice as just a date on a calendar, but this year, I felt the shift deep in my bones. Standing at the year’s longest day, an internal compass seemed to click. Almost immediately after, even as the thermometer stayed high, my body registered the subtle, quiet shortening of the days.
The evening light took on a richer, more amber hue. The air at dusk carried a faint, crisp warning of the autumn to come. I felt this at the surface level, sure, but I also had this acute awareness of the matching energy of my own life. Midlife. The peak season that I am in is shifting and I can feel it in my body and being that the days are growing shorter. It wasn’t a sad feeling; it was more of an awakening. It brought a soft awareness to make the remaining time count.
The Dog Days
We made trips to the pool, a quick weekend to Central Oregon to visit family where we could go on bike rides and horse rides. Phill’s Trail in Bend is fantastic for beginners and family. We have such a mixed skill level and it has something for everyone.
I was able to meet up with friends from way back. They are doing fantastic things. Love you girls!
We made a one night trip to Sandpoint to meet up with other family who were in the area. Did a hike up Schweitzer. So stunning in the summer. I used to spend many winter days skiing those hillsides as a teen.
The Grand Finale
In August things culminated to gathering in Central Oregon once again for my mom’s 70th birthday party. You can read more about that and see some of our family photos HERE. This was followed by the ultimate send-off to the season: a rugged, dusty, high-velocity weekend at Mt. Bachelor Bike Park.
We packed up the RV and headed toward the mountains, trading the quiet routines of mid-summer for the thrum of knobby tires on dirt. Setting up camp in the RV lot was an escape from the smoky lands below as it was fire season. We settled in, got the lay of the area and the next day went out for a good day on the trails.
On the mountain, the riding was fast and I have to admit a little unforgiving. Flying down the lava rock trails, surrounded by the dramatic Central Oregon landscape was a lot of fun. Every sweeping berm was a celebration of what our bodies could do. I was so proud of all of us. It was the first time we had all used the lifts with our bikes and gone down this level of trails. My husband, of course, is much more skilled but he had plenty to challenge him also.
In the evenings, once we were worn out from our riding we went and explored the lakes close by. We watched the sunset at Elk Lake, ran through the bright turquiose water of Devil’s Lake with the filtered evening light making it feel so magical and walked and walked some more along Soda Creek with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Then we would come back to the RV spot as the stars came out over the pines.
We did encounter some troubles with our truck on the way home. We got home a bit later than expected but experienced some fantastic help from the people in that community. It was really awesome to see people genuinly just wanting to help out and get our family back on the road and home. Even troubles can bring blessings.
Summer Closing
Back at home now, it was time to prepare for some more fun! Races and Cheer! We had back to back races which take up the entire weekend. We were also juggling my daughter’s first fair parade attendance for cheer. One of the days it meant a very early morning for the parade and a mad dash to the track to watch racing that went well into the night and up until 2 am. We are so thankful to have an RV for these long days and late nights. The races had highs and lows but all in all a great time and lessons learned.
We made many great memories. I always feel a little fried at the end of summer and this year has been no different! Bring on some routine and cooler days!
