A Time to Talk: It’s summertime and the living is easy in Gig Harbor

Kathy O'Brien

A Time to Talk

Summer, oh, glorious summer — isn’t it grand? Yes, it’s summers such as these that make up for all the gray skies, rain, wind and — well, rain — that we get each winter.

But we deserve it, don’t we? This perfectly gorgeous summer, that is.

This past winter, we were blessed with rain, wind, snow, ice, freezing temperatures and, well, rain and more snow. Last summer — well, did we have a summer last year?

Anyway, we are now reaping the benefits of our suffering through those challenging seasons (and the grumbling for some, who shall remain nameless).

Yet compared to the rest of the country, we didn’t have it so bad. In winter 2009, we watched other states became mired in mountains of snow or parched during record droughts.

So far this summer, other parts of the United States are sweltering in 80- to 100-degree heat with 80 percent humidity while we bask in spectacular blue skies devoid of smog with temperatures sublime in the mid-70s. Humidity? Almost non-existent.

Even our nights are warm enough to sit outside after 7 p.m. No tornadoes to spoil our coffee on the deck or dinners on the patio.

Sure, it’s true that June often is as cold as March and our summer doesn’t often begin until after the Fourth of July.

But this year? What a bonus June was — 29 straight days without measurable precipitation. From May 20 through June 17, we felt like we’d won the weather lottery.

Yet other parts of the country had record lows: the Boston area stayed in the 50s most days; Minneapolis had rain and cool days.

How do I know? Because from May 26 through June 10, I missed our glorious weather. I spent my days feeling very much “at home” (because of the weather) in those two other states.

But no more. Now I am where I belong, enjoying these splendid summer days.

On a trip to town, the harbor hums with a bevy of activity. Vacationers congregate on our streets, visiting galleries, frequenting eating establishments and local shops, and strolling through the farmers’ market at Jerisich Park or the Kimball Drive Park & Ride.

They meander down our streets, wishing they lived the dream we do. They stroll without having to mop their brow, without complaining about how hot it is. They don’t have to beat off flies or mosquitoes.

They get to do what we do all the time: enjoy the summer. Because, even though June can be tricky, July, August and September are the best in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, I think we have the very best summer climate in the most picturesque region in the United States.

Mount Rainier stands proud and snow-covered, tucked between a sea of blue sky. The harbor is a haven of boats, all types and sizes — all enjoying the sun’s warmth. Kopachuck, Joemma Beach and Penrose Point state parks are replete with picnickers young and old.

We’re just so darn lucky to live here in the summer — other times, too — but summer? Aw, it’s the best. Even September brings warm breezes and cloudless skies.

While Alaska is bracing for a possible snowstorm and Montana’s summer is but a short memory, we still bask in “Hot Fun in the Summertime.”

November? That’s another story.

A Time to Talk columnist Kathy O’Brien can be reached by e-mail at harborwriters@aol.com.