Thread: Summer Solstice Today

Good grief as Charlie Brown used to say. I must be getting older because I totally forgot until just now that today is the Summer Solstice. Longest day of the year.

Typically, SWMBO and I get up pre-dawn, pack a breakfast, go out to a park and watch the sun come up while enjoying breakfast and toasting the longest day of the year with Mimosas. We typically stay out all day long enjoying the outdoors. Hiking, window shopping, dining al fresco at a restaurant. We end the day with a bottle of wine at the same park toasting the sunset.

But this year both of us totally missed it. The FM Jazz station I am streaming mentioned that today was the Summer Solstice a few moments ago and I was shocked that it had eluded me.

I hope some of you are enjoying the day. SWMBO and I will at least toast the sunset since we missed our annual Solstice Celebration Day.

I did watch the sun rise while i was out doing my morning 4 mile walk. But i didnt notice or realise it was a special
day.

Heard on the radio this morning that it was the first day of summer. No special celebrations here except to turn and use the AC for the first time since last year. Seems appropriate enough though.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Heard on the radio this morning that it was the first day of summer. No special celebrations here except to turn and use the AC for the first time since last year. Seems appropriate enough though.

Bob

I agree Bob. First day of summer, might as well fire up the AC. While we still can!

I heard on the news about northern Alaska celebrating yesterday. They had something like 22 hours of sunshine yesterday way up north. I remember working Alaska in the early 90s. 2 AM in the summer and people were out BBQing, playing golf. It was incredible. They must indeed have insomnia this time of year.

Originally Posted by ZipZop

I agree Bob. First day of summer, might as well fire up the AC. While we still can!

I heard on the news about northern Alaska celebrating yesterday. They had something like 22 hours of sunshine yesterday way up north. I remember working Alaska in the early 90s. 2 AM in the summer and people were out BBQing, playing golf. It was incredible. They must indeed have insomnia this time of year.

I went back to Fairbanks, AK -- 11/09-05/12 -- and remember well the ~3 hours at "night" during the summer when the sun was "set"... still plenty light out... enough for softball games, etc. The worst part during the summer was neighbors/municipality taking advantage of the light to make home/house/road repairs -- NOISY!! Try sleeping, lol.

WRT "insomnia": It's an excellent movie, starring Al Pacino. I recommend it without reservation.

Originally Posted by JBHoren

I went back to Fairbanks, AK -- 11/09-05/12 -- and remember well the ~3 hours at "night" during the summer when the sun was "set"... still plenty light out... enough for softball games, etc. The worst part during the summer was neighbors/municipality taking advantage of the light to make home/house/road repairs -- NOISY!! Try sleeping, lol.

WRT "insomnia": It's an excellent movie, starring Al Pacino. I recommend it without reservation.

Great movie, JB. I've seen it a few times. May actually watch it again this weekend now that you mention it.

The man I worked with (a local) in Alaska back in the 90s said something similar. He had neighbors that would party outside all "twilight" long doing BBQ and lawn jarts and horseshoes and beer. Between that and the constant light, it was insomnia indeed. It didn't seem to bother me much when I was there. I just drew the curtains in my hotel room and closed my eyes because I was tired. But I can see how others may not be able to handle the constant daylight year after year. Same with the darkness in the winter. Cold AND dark for six months? Must be hard on some people.