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OPINION

Summer is getting closer, and it’s easy to get outside each morning, feeling those golden rays tickling my nose and that smell of sunscreen and lilacs, luring me to come out and play.

Except for this week — it’s been super windy and chilly. But it’s refreshing, and everything looks so beautiful and green and healthy.

One of the things my husband and I (so by extension our children) like to do the most in the summer is get out to a lake.

We aren’t boaters (maybe we would be if we could afford a boat), but we like to take a blanket, snacks and a ball, and spend a few hours of the day unplugged.

We are so blessed in B.C. to have a multitude of lakes at our disposal.

You can literally drive 20 minutes in any directions and find yourself at a different body of water.

It may not always be the most accessible without some creative navigating, and you might get duck itch, but I’ll happily take my chances.

For me, I am drawn to the water for its ability to make me feel alive.

I love that feeling when your head is just below the surface and suddenly you are submerged in your own little world.

For a moment everything up top isn’t so important and you are happily existing in the land of the mermaids.

But life isn’t all lakes and sun days.

Most of us have to work, and so our window of opportunity in the summertime shrinks and speeds by far to quickly.

We sit at our desks or inside our cars in traffic and think longingly about what we COULD be doing.

We try to pack in as many activities as we can when we get the time, knowing full well September’s fall breeze is just waiting to swoop in.

But not too soon.

This summer my husband and I decided to set a goal — visit 20 lakes.

There is no penalty for failing, except missing out.

To some it will seem like a high number, and with gas prices the way they are, maybe unachievable.

And to others who visit 20 lakes in a weekend — just another day at the office.

But it is the number we have chosen.

Everyone I chat with has a favourite lake, and a favourite lake story.

Whether it was the place of a first romance, family vacation or a fishing excursion, there is a lake somewhere in their memory.

And then there are the people who claim to know of a ‘secret’ lake, uninhabited (by humans) and known only to a handful of lucky visitors.

It is also usually where the fishermen catch a record-setting number of prey.

We are well on our way to visiting our 20 lakes, with three already checked off and it isn’t even July yet.

And we have our favourites and old faithfuls lined up, but it’s really exciting when we find a place we didn’t know existed.

What is your favourite lake or lake story?

— Becky Mann is a 30-something, red haired, mother of two, trying to navigate this life as best she can. She enjoys talking to people and discovering their stories. Still trying to balance her personal and professional life, she juggles work and play. In her spare time Becky can be found visiting with friends, spending time with her family and saving time by reading while walking, She knows there is so much more to come and is looking forward to the continued adventure.

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