You know it's summer when...

Here in Alaska the signs of summer aren’t always obvious.  It doesn’t get up to 85, it rarely passes 70, and sometimes it rains for 32 days straight (last summer).  So here’s a list of 15 ways you know it’s here.

1) You’re outside playing and don’t realize it’s 11:00 at night because the sun’s still up.

2) Cars become obsolete, you go everywhere on a bike.

3) When you take your socks off there’s a line – from the sun or dirt, take your pick.

4) When you can run in shorts and a tee shirt (sometimes long sleeve).

5) You wash your hands and the water turns a different color.

6) Everywhere you go people are outside planting gardens and watering the grass.

7) The sounds of children’s voices can be heard way past when they should be in bed.

8) Construction begins.

9) The ice cream truck goes by – this never happened here when I was growing up, but lately it’s come by everyday with circus music blaring through the loudspeaker that can be heard over a mile away.

10) Everyone starts to talk about fish.

11) You go to camp – (I leave in a week to be a counselor!!!)

12) You don’t have to go to school.

13) The snow finally melts.

14) The dog starts to shed.

15) Your clothes always smell like smoke from campfires every other day – my personal favorite.

It's summertime guys!!!