An Ode to the Summer of Yes

Many of you may not know this, but I have another job. I work at a school. I am a schoolteacher. Monday through Friday, I teach high school English to 9th, 11th, and 12th graders. Teaching is great- it’s rewarding and fulfilling and you get the opportunity to mold the minds of the future leaders of our nation, etc, etc. The best part, however, is that being a teacher means you bust your butt for 9 months out of the year, leaving you 3 whole months of complete and utter vacation.

This summer I decided to affectionately name my 3 months of complete and utter vacation, “The Summer of Yes.”  It was a summer of spontaneity, and at times a summer of regret. It was a summer of, “Yes, I’d love to go kayaking tomorrow!” And, “Why yes, I would like another cookie.” It was a summer of adventure, and a summer of not very much rest. It was a summer of “You know, I think Nashville is exactly where I should spend the 4th of July.” And, “Sure! Let’s go to the late movie!”

I began the Summer of Yes in May with a long weekend in Panama City beach and ended it with a long weekend in Tallahassee. In between, I found myself in New York City, Nashville, Sanibel Island, Thomasville, Tampa, the mountains of North Carolina, and the crystal clear waters of Three Sisters Springs.

Here is a small taste of the sights and memories I will never forget:

So long, sweet Summer of Yes. You were one for the books!