The kids are getting back to school, nights are growing cooler, and days are growing shorter. In the minds of many, summer is over.
I say they're wrong.
I say this for three reasons: First, meteorological autumn does not begin until Sept. 1. Second, autumn equinox is not until Sept. 22, which is when the Gregorian calendar recognizes the shift in seasons. Third, August is arguably summer at its peak.
August hosts some of the hottest daytime temperatures while maintaining relatively cool evenings, making it prime time for summer fun. Everything you did in June and July can be continued into August, including swimming, hiking, cooking out, boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. The start of school is just a slight change of pace, moving these activities later into the evening rather than the middle of the day.
And there is no better time for stargazing. The evenings darken a little earlier than they did just a month ago, allowing for a solid stargazing session without sacrificing a schooltime sleep schedule. And, while the days are still hot, evenings tend to cool off quicker, making it ideal for a late summer cookout.
Imagine gathering around a campfire comfortably to roast hot dogs, corn on the cob and marshmallows, then finishing out the night by watching the Perseids meteor shower, which peaks this year on Aug. 12-13.
The shower is best seen late at night, with peak hours beginning at 11 p.m., but the stars can also be seen earlier, as darkness sets in around 9 p.m. in Michiana.
While school getting back into session seems to speed summer along toward its end, August is the perfect time to slow down, spend an evening hiking or at the beach and really enjoy the outdoors. Sure, the daytime highs are pretty extreme, but the average temperature at night is in the 60s, with clear skies and a relieving cut in the humidity. Besides, the heat of the day is spent at work and at school, leaving the evenings for a relaxing time of endless summer activities. And, as a bonus, planning ways to keep the summer fun alive gives the kiddos that much more incentive to do their homework early.
If you do end up outdoors in the middle of the day, make sure to be near a source of water (like a lake) or ice cream to help you cool down. It is no time to skimp on summer essentials.
On that note, stay outside and keep the summer fun alive as things begin to wind down for the start of the school season.