7 Old School Ways to Relish Summer
There’s nothing like living Primal in summer. Certain aspects just come easier: the copious fresh produce, unlimited outdoor exercise, long daylight, ample sunshine. True, those of us in the warmer states have some year-long advantage here. Nonetheless, summer remains my favorite season – probably a result of my New England roots. The brevity of the season there inevitably inspires a true carpe diem attitude. Wherever you go, however, I think summer brings with it a sense of adventure and spontaneity. Even if our school years are (decades) long gone, we still embrace summer as a kind of “holiday” from the routine. For many of us, the season is a time to explore, travel, and live outside, relegating the house to role of mere storage unit. There are the elaborate vacations, the well-planned day trips, the sporting and social events. Today, however, I’m thinking along nostalgic lines, some old school pastimes that invoke the (somewhat endangered) ease of summer.
As a kid, my favorite summer days and evenings were all about playing rough, running free, and living like the young savage I was. Needless to say, by the end of the day, I was wearing and eating the elements. Here are a few of my favorites – little to no equipment or planning required. Some, you could say, have subtle survivalist elements. Others are just an afternoon’s adventure or an invitation to lose yourself in a few hours of outdoor daydreaming. (The PB is about enjoying the best of life after all.) Each of them in some way, I think, fit the Primal theme, and they’re family friendly to boot. Here’s to kicking it old school this summer. Enjoy, everyone!
Night Walk
I’ll just say it: we don’t appreciate the dark enough these days. Caught up in the world of 24-hour illumination, we’ve lost touch with how to live at night as our ancestors did. As Richard Louv noted in Last Child in the Woods, many urban children have never even been in darkness before. They represent and feel more dramatically what our society as a whole has gravitated toward in recent decades: a fear of and disowning of natural darkness.
On the nights when I got to stay out late, I relished wandering into the thick of the darkened woods. My heart would beat faster. My palms would sweat. I felt like an alert animal, excitedly crossing a mysterious threshold. Yet, within a few yards I was one with the shadows.
There’s a more practical Primal lesson to be absorbed as well. Many have written about the modern undeveloped sense of night vision. Paul Shepard, Peter Nabokov, and others explain that the peripheral vision (compliments of those handy rod cells) we inherently use to “see” our way through a dark trail accesses a primitive level of consciousness – the primal “unconscious” as it’s often called. We can see finally when we stop thinking, when we let these long-buried, primeval abilities take the reins. For a young child, this comes naturally. For the rest of us, it’s a skill and adventure worth rediscovering. Check out your local recreation and environmental chapters, which often host night walks or at least moonlit walks during the summer.
Creek Stomping
It’s not exactly “leave no trace,” I realize, but it doesn’t get much more raw or earthy than this. (Make a mud shirt while you’re at it.) You’ve got the sun, the mud, and the water. (What more does a kid/Primal type need?) Truth be told, it’s just walking through the water, but that never dampened our exuberance. You can easily burn an afternoon alternatively gliding and rushing through the water, stopping as often as you want to inspect something curious along the banks or to check out the wildlife crawling or swimming by you – if you haven’t scared them away. (Plus, there were always the fits of laughter after someone flipped out about a leech – or several – on their leg.) We did it barefoot when left to our own devices or in old sneakers at summer camp. Done stealthily, you can snag yourself a snack, which leads me to the next pastime….
Cooking Your Own Catch
No cooler or kitchen here. Try on the old school scouting endeavor of making a fire and cooking up – right there in the dirt and sticks – whatever you can hunt, catch, or gather (observing state laws of course). Those fish or crawdads you snagged creek stomping? How about cooking ‘em up beachside? Make your feast as recreational or survivalist as you want. No need for matches or a Bic. Go hunting for some kindling and good fire bow materials. Want a brush up on primitive fire building? Check out this article.
Tubing
First thing’s first: there’s absolutely no exercise or thought that goes into this endeavor. (Of course, that’s the point.) The more cerebral among us might enjoy studying the currents or taking advantage of bird watching opportunities. Mostly, though, tubing is the most soothing activity I’ve ever found. It’s literally impossible to be stressed while meandering down the river watching the trees, birds, and random wildlife/farm animals. (Cows especially love to watch tubers.) I’ll admit it’s been too long since my last go, but I recall the times I’ve tubed like they were yesterday. There are still a number of local tubing “societies” around the country that can hook you up with the best routes and get you happily acclimated into the summer tubing culture. (Although some like the solitary approach, others go in sizable groups with stocked floating coolers in tow.)
If you don’t have a tube worthy river by you (obviously not recommended for rivers with undertow or significant white water), use your tube to float on a nearby pond or small lake. No, you don’t get the benefit of constantly changing scenery around every bend, but it’s just as relaxing.
Stargazing
One of my favorite memories of camping when I was younger was sleeping on the beach of a small island where there was no light for miles around. Truth be told, I was too excited to sleep much that night. The sky was like a velvet backdrop dusted with millions of stars. Although there wasn’t a moon, the collective light of the stars was bright enough to light the beach and water. It was mid-August to boot, which meant we got to savor one of the best meteor showers of the year. I think we stopped counting shooting stars somewhere around 130.
There’s more to stargazing, of course, than shooting stars. How about mapping the constellations or learning to navigate by the stars like our primitive brethren?
Need a refresher on the constellations and the shifting night sky? Check out this PDF, for a summer night tour or Wunderground’s site, where you can get an exact map designed for your zip code.
Trail Running
I know a number of you out there do trail runs. Having abandoned my marathoning training years ago, this is the kind of running I most enjoy now (though, admittedly, it’s more walking than running these days). There’s something uniquely fortifying about the time on the trail that I just don’t get from a running path or even the beach for that matter. Of course, I often imagine myself running after or even with an imagined deer or other prey animal. With trail running, the key is becoming one with the trail as you allow yourself to “feel” it intuitively. As Peter Nabokov writes, certain indigenous groups have traditions of “trance running,” which grows from the runner’s relationship to the trail itself. The run becomes, in essence, a spiritual interaction between the earth and the runner him/herself. The trail isn’t to be learned but trusted. As a child it just inspired a kind of high, and today it does the same.
Early Dawn Climb
Years ago on a backpacking trip, we hiked our way to what would be our base camp in thick fog. As much of a PIA as it was at the time, the next morning’s view made it all worth it. We unknowingly woke up at the base of a majestic peak. We were all in total awe.
How about earning a similar moment of wonder without the overnight trek? Head out in the earliest light of dawn for what you know to be a rewarding trail. Although you’ll be making your way in dim light on the way up, you’ll enjoy your breakfast in the company of an incredible vista. Just think: you can still make that 8:00 a.m. meeting – although you’ll probably find yourself tempted to take the rest of the day off. Not a bad idea there.
Got your own old school summer exploits to share? (In my book, you can never have too many.) Comment away! Have a great week, everybody, and enjoy getting out there!
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
I love summer! I grew up doing all of the things you listed. Unfortunately, walking in the dark won’t happen in the summer here in Alaska, but when it’s sunny at 10:30pm, we get out and enjoy it!
Love this!! Man, this brings back the memories–I grew up with a creek in my backyard. Now I live adjacent to an urbane mini-park with a paved dogwalking path. Not quite the same as the great outdoors, but hey, it’s still outdoors!
This post makes me want to stay up late (stargazing) and wake up pre-dawn (for that early morning hike). That’s some inspiration!
I find running trails at night to be one of the most relaxing things I could do. While most people scoff at the idea of getting eating by animals (really?) or it just generally being unsafe, I absolutely love it. I find that my senses are heightened. Any move an animal makes in the bushes quickly gets my attention, and adrenaline quickly rushes through my buddy, only to return to a relaxed, yet alert state. I always seem to come back with a fresh mind.
Also, while doing the Race Across America, while not exactly the same as trail running, the shifts I enjoyed the most were the night shifts out in the middle of nowhere. The night shifts that turned into dawn/morning were always the best. The feeling of watching the sunrise while doing something so few people get to experience, while the rest of the country is busy reaching for their snooze buttons, wondering how much coffee they would need to start their day was one of the more memorable points of the race(s).
I’m fortunate to be a rock climber and each summer, I travel west with a friend for a climbing trip to the mountains — this year to the Wind River Range and the Tetons. Very few things in life bring me more satisfaction than those days in the backcountry, camping out and challenging one’s mental and physical fortitude in the fearsome splendor of the mountains. Nothing that I’ve ever done focuses the mind on the present like being thousands of feet up on a sheer rock wall, searching for the next foot- or hand-hold. For those who’ve never rock climbed, consider hiring a reputable guide service to climb with. Put it on your bucket list — you won’t regret it.
yup climbing is #1 for me. i live 3 1/2 hours from Smith Rock State Park
Some of my favorite summer activities and memories come from spending months on a small island off the coast of rhode island, living, working, exploring. We would go skinny dipping in the middle of the day in one of the ponds, and took dips in the ocean at night for a thrill. We star gazed from the beach, and sat on cliffs and observed the beauty of the reflection of the moon on the vast ocean. I was so lucky to live among such natural beauty. Now I’m up in Vermont and there is even more to explore, not being confined to a small island. We’ve been hiking so much and I’ve been exploring new trails with my dog.
all of the above… and getting caught in a summer thunderstorm while out on a bike ride. Ahhhh…!!!
Great article, Mark, and brings back childhood memories. My favorite is a bike ride as the sun is setting (not blinding one’s eyes). The cool, night air begins to settle in, and around here, the deer and elk bound in the wheat fields. It seems to give my body and mind closure to the day.
Thousand of stars, Mark. I feel to young to correct…
If millions were shinning there would be daylight only, now that would be cool!
Great post Mark! I think to sum up your post, and my goals this summer, is simply to be outside as much as possible. Sprained ankle be darned, I’m going on a night trail run this week!
This was a great post. Some of my favorite memories are of camping with my family at Devil’s Lake, WI. Last year I went camping with some friends, in an area with absolutely zero electricity or lighting, and to see the stars, and even the Milky Way, and just breath-taking. That was in October. I have a camping trip planned for the same place–just 10 days away!–and I will hopefully be able to do more than huddle around the fire trying to warm up (the northern part of Wisconsin is rather cool year round). One whole week to just be, do a little swimming, a little hiking, probably a whole lot of laughing and cooking and eating. I can hardly wait!
We take our 20 month old son to the creek most days after work to throw rocks. It’s fun for him and it loosens me up after a day at my desk.
If you have children, or plan on having them, Last Child in the Woods is a GREAT book. So is Natural Childhood. It is by far my favorite child development book.
Great subject – I recently noticed my boys have become very buff since they have been climbing the trees in our back yard a lot, building tree forts and playing tree tag. I did that as a boy and loved it. Seems like it would be a great whole-body exercise. I plan to drag my 40-something buttocks out and climb with them.
I would do anything to get back out west where I actually enjoy being outdoors in summer. I’m not cut out for the nasty and disgusting humidity in the east – saps all joy out of the summer months.
I take my paddle board to the beach really early morning and glide along in the very still morning waters of the gulf of mexico. It’s mystical and magical….I watch the sun come up or “fire up” if you will. I also love night walks.
Marc
I prefer water sports, like wakeboarding, water skis! Its a great workout for your upper body!
Two great rivers to tube on in Nebraska: The Niobrara River and the Elkhorn River. The Elkhorn originates in the sparsely populated Sandhills and flows into the Missouri River near Omaha. (Stay away from that area this year!) The river is not very deep and has a nice sand bottom with lots of sandbars or sandy beaches to get out and relax on. You will float past beautiful country, small towns and wide open prairie/tree lined views. There is also a nice bike path which follows this river between Norfolk and O’neill.
Funny this topic should come up today. I just returned from a night climb of a local peak here in the North Cascades. I sat on the summit and watched the sun rise over a sea of clouds with other peaks sticking up like islands. It was amazing, beautiful, and even a little bit lonely. It hits you at your core. Man I love it.
Best dawn climb we ever did was Mount Kenya. Up at 3AM with the guides. Got to summit (about 15,000ft) at 7AM to see the dawn. It was the top of the world!!
Such a great post! Triggers wonderful childhood memories.
I’m with mrplavick about the tree climbing. We used to pack a picnic lunch (probably peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…today I would take some grilled chicken and an apple) and hike to ‘the tree of no-return.’ It was a big old pine tree about 1/2 a mile from home. We would climb to the top and eat our lunch and then hike home. It was an all day adventure.
And then there was nighttime tag! Oh, what fun. Shadows darting out from behind trees…giggles and titters piercing the silent darkness.
Thanks for the memories…and inspiration!
Tubing in the Ozark rivers like the Jacks Fork is a great trip. Next week we’re canoeing the Buffalo river in Arkansas and should have plenty of time to fish, hike, run trails and watch stars.
GROK APPROVED BE-havior
Cuz ya have to BE it…to DO it
So BE the Summer..as you DO the summer fun…and my toes don’t get cold in my flip-flops..LOLOL>>>>>>
Brilliant post Mark. Now I just need to get through this winter so I can appreciate summer again!
Ahhh. I night walk sounds lovely!! Great summer ideas.
Once upon a time I did a night walk through the tirolian forest with a bunch of people. My friend and I left most of the newbies behind and started marching ahead. It was a full moon but the forest was too thick to really see the ground. The trail all of a sudden stopped, ahead of us the open prarie and a stunning, blinding full moon.
A teenage boy who was exhausted from the night hike, sweating and panting, pushed my friend and I out of the way to head into the open prarie where at the end of it was our little Lodge.
The boy went ahead of us, fell over a log and dropped off the earth.
The boy rolled about 300 meters down the steep hill (over rocks and ant piles) non of us saw because of the blinding moon.
I never laughed so hard in my life. Priceless.
What I love about these comments is how we all sound like exuberant children again. It’s still there in us, and it can be all the time, if we view life with that kind of fresh, wide-eyed wonder.
A favorite childhood summer activity: catching lightning bugs. Some places don’t have them any more, but we do here in rural TN. We used to play outside until dark and then try to catch lightning bugs.
Summer in Phoenix AZ: Right now the days are 110+F and nights are cooling down to about 80F. The birds are hanging out in the shade of bushes and trees and only flying when they absolutely have to. The water coming out of the cold water tap is just cool, but in a few weeks it will be warm. Swimming pools are great, but by the end of July, the water will be bathwater warm. The 6-foot tall brick fences that surround homes trap in the heat and don’t let breezes in. The overabundance of asphalt pavement and concrete traps the heat and releases it at night keeping the temperatures up.
Right now the humidity and dew point are pretty low, but in a few weeks, the monsoon season will start and the humidity will make it uncomfortable to be outside anytime of the day or night — unless a dust storm or thunderstorm is raging. The weather won’t start cooling off until late October.
The lakes around the city are crowded. Camping in the high country is a tradition in Arizona, but the northern part of the state has been ravaged by forest fires. Forests are closed and camping is restricted.
You’ll find people walking or jogging at sunrise, but in the middle of the day the only people outside are landscaping crews and people who have to take the bus or ride their bicycles to get anywhere. Phoenix is not a pedestrian city and will never be. It’s too spread out.
We get cabin fever in the summer because it’s just too hot to do anything outside.
That sounds horrible. I never thought of the impact of the walls surrounding housing areas. I also saw a documentary that stated that AZ esp. Phoenix is drying up and getting hotter with each summer. The water comes from another state through a HUGE canal, which stretches for hundreds of miles, is that true?
So that part of AZ has no water of its own, why did ‘white man’ settle down in that area when they first came over?
I guess they never thought they’d run out of ANY resources.
Sure makes it hard for everyone there now.
Catfish noodling! The most masculine, Primal, sexy thing a man can do in the summer!
It winter here in New Zealand. I take my dogs for a walk most nights and have an abundance of trails to follow. I used to take a torch but it’s just so much more relaxing without. No need to concentrate on the lighted area; just trust your instincts and go.