A few days ago I posted about the great weather that Toronto has been having and gave some suggestions for spending lovely summer days in the city. However, as beautiful as our city is, it can be nice to get out of town and enjoy the sunny days out in the country.

Whether you’ve got a cottage to go to, you want to camp or you’re lucky enough to have parents you live out in the country like me, it can be refreshing and relaxing to get out of the lights and out where you can see the stars.

When you pack up and head down the highway the question starts to become, how are you going to spend your time? Here are some ideas for you!

Swim in Nature’s Water
That’s right kids, it can be okay to swim in water that isn’t in your pool. I did it when I was a kid, it’s a ton of fun. And let me put your mind at ease, the fish and turtles do not want to be anywhere near you, so you can stop worrying about them. If you are visiting a provincial or national park you can ask about the water quality and it will likely be posted at the beach as well, pay attention to those posts. Get out your bathing suit, bring a towel, blow up a beach ball and get your swim on!

Go Fish
When I was little we fished with my dad when we went camping, good times. Once the fam took a trip out to Napanee to fish near the bridge. If you’ve ever been to Napanee you know what I’m talking about. I love fishing, learned it then, still do it now. Last summer I fished in the pond at my parent’s place and even got some friends involved. Look, Rayanne even pulled a little bass out of the water on her first cast. She’s a natural. But mine was bigger. Whether you’re fishing from a boat, from a dock, with worms or with lures, I wish you a ton of luck. Don’t hook yourself and make sure you get your licence – it’s cheap and many Canadian Tire stores issue them.

Hit the Trail for a Hike
Walking in the city is much different than walking out on the trails in the country. Trade the concrete sidewalk for a dirt path and change out of your loafers and into your boots. When you’re going for a long hike remember to bring water with you so you can stay hydrated, it’s important. And bring snacks too, trail mix got it’s name for a reason and homemade treats are a great idea when you’re out for the day. Remember to keep packaging to a minimum and ALWAYS PICK UP YOUR TRASH when you are on the trails. Everyone will appreciate it. Thank you.

Cruise the Water
Boats are awesome. Canoes, paddle boats, dragon boats, fishing boats, speed boats, sail boats, all of the boats! There’s something magical about cruising on top of the water with the breeze in your air and the smell of the water in your nose. When the weather is right, it’s awesome. When the weather is rough, it’s a challenge. The trick is to enjoy it no matter what and always be prepared. Please remember that if you are going to be driving a boat you MUST HAVE A LICENSE. It’s not hard to get, you can do it today with an online boat licence test.

Sit Around a Fire
Campfires are great. I love ‘em. I love building them, lighting them, playing with them and enjoying them with friends. Get your firewood ready, pile it up and get a match. And once your flames are tickling the sky do whatever you want. Tell stories, play games, drink beer, have a sing-along, the options are endless! Remember that safety comes first so don’t leave your fire unattended and make sure that it’s out before you go to bed. Also remember that a camp fire is one of the greatest things ever, so enjoy the heck out of it. Whether you sit on a stump or a lawn chair or right on the ground, there’s no end to the good times that it can bring!

There are a million options when you’re looking for things to do when you’re outside of the city. Get some friends together, come up with a plan and enjoy the heck out. It’s going to be an awesome summer wherever you choose to be.

Remember to play safe and be awesome!

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.