My first Seattle summer

A few months ago a friend of mine and a few other people said summer doesn’t actually begin in Seattle until after the 4th of July. At the time I simply didn’t believe them. I thought to myself there’s no way that could be true. Implausible even. I'm used to summer like weather starting in April. But as the days of June rolled by and I was still wearing long sleeved shirts or a light jacket I was proven wrong. It’s still a bit surprising that it’s taken so long for it to stay warm consistently.

Now that summer is here it’s great. Like many areas, when the mercury rises the energy of the city changes. You see a lot more people out and about riding their bicycles, running, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc. Because summer doesn't last as long compared to other areas there's an urgency and excitement surrounding spending time outdoors. Sunshine is a hot commodity and people here don't want to waste it.

I’d have to say one of the best things about summer is the unobstructed view of the scenery that surrounds the city; Mt. Rainier in particular. Locals just say “the mountain is out” on days when it’s in plain view.

View of Mt. Rainier near I-90.

The only downside to 80 degree weather in Seattle is the lack on air conditioning in most places. Because it’s only hot for a short time there’s no guarantee you’ll walk into an ice cold business or home. Thankfully the humidity is low, it cools down at night and even when you're in the shade it's not as hot. I'm making the most of summer and looking forward to playing some tennis this weekend.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." 

-John Lubbock