Here are 9 things I’m looking forward to about summertime in Charlottesville:
9. The Corner is Accessible Again. “The Corner” is the area in the middle of UVA grounds (not campus, grounds) with fun restaurants and shops. During the school year, I try to avoid it, as parking is nearly impossible and I am white-knuckled, gripping my steering wheel as I try to avoid pedestrians. It’s hard work driving through there in October.
8. Committees and Most Organized Events Take a Break. Free evenings…what a delightful prospect.
7. Fridays After Five Downtown. The Pavilion at the end of C’ville’s downtown pedestrian mall hosts free concerts every Friday evening after–you guessed it–5pm. The Downtown Mall on a Friday night is the modern equivalent of Regency England’s Promenade in Bath, or Hyde Park in London: (http://archive.suite101.com/article.cfm/regency_romance/58465) everyone goes to see and be seen.
6. Going to the Beach. Wait…that’s not Charlottesville. Charlottesville’s would be Going to the Mountains. But I am planning to go to the beach this summer with my family, and I am very much looking forward to it. I’m putting it on my list anyway. So there.
5. Generally Being Outside/ Going to the Mountains. Charlottesville is infinitely better in warmer weather. This town is at its best when you can be outside. There are many wineries around the outskirts, Monticello and the Monticello trail, and oh yeah, the mountains. So hiking and camping are pluses.
4. Summer Clothes. It’s time to give sweaters and heavy scarves and coats a rest. I’ll be happy to pull them out again when the weather gets chilly, but I’m so glad to be putting tank tops and breezy skirts toward the front of the closet again.
3. Summer Movies. Again, not limited to Charlottesville, but this one is inclusive of C’ville. This summer the movie I’m looking forward to the most is The Dark Knight Rises (with the rest of America, I know).
2. There are a couple of Drive-In theaters around C’ville. I’ve always meant to go, but never gone. It’s on my summer list this year! Does that help make the list more “local”? Please say yes.
1. Outdoor Grilling. While I do not personally own a grill, I am excited at the thought of attending other people’s grilling parties. If you have a grill and would like company, I will be your friend. I’ll even marinade chicken and bring it with me if that will tempt you. Or a side; I have a killer potato recipe I might share.
While “grilling” is the official top thing I’m excited about, I’m also excited about summer food in general. Tomato pie, watermelon, corn on the cob, and basically anything else that’s in season. Mmmm…summer tastes so good.
1 thing to not be excited about: sitting in my office wrapped up in a blanket because the air conditioning is extreme in here. Seriously. I made hot tea this afternoon because my fingers were cold. This cannot be good for anyone’s health.