Photo: Gilbert Katerynych – Hamlin Aug 20/20
Look at this photo. Local artist Gilbert Katerynych has an incredible talent to capture not only a moment in time but also the depth of that moment with colour and light. Paired with sweeping vistas of such iconic locations and landmarks from our community that it can instantly transport you into the photo. Looking at this incredible thunderstorm that swept by the Hamlin elevators has me catching my breath. It’s no secret that I love thunderstorms.
Summer of 2020 was different. We’ve never lived through times like these and as much as we could complain about, I know there is a lot we can look back on and smile. As we say good-bye to Summer on the prairies and welcome Autumn on September 22nd, I want to share with you some of the best things.
First off like Gilbert’s photo captures we had some incredible thunderstorms. Being a fan of a good “shaker” I hold those storms like little memory gems. Flashes of lightning so bright they woke me from sound sleep. Followed by the crash of thunder that seemed to echo on forever. We had a few early storms that brought so much rain our roof started leaking, but it’s because of that rain that the harvest is bountiful!
The Summer sun wrapped us in heat like I remember from when I was a kid. It’s been a long time since my childhood but I still remember the heat of a Saskie summer riding bikes on Foley Drive. The smell of the hot black top and fresh cut grass is still as intoxicating to me now as it was then. Playing in the sprinklers and hitting the slip and slide will not only be my memories but the memories of my children as well. I’ll say one thing, thank goodness for AC!
Exploring Saskatchewan is something a lot of people talk about. Trekking into the wide-spread expanse of prairies, forest, hills, valleys and more is a glorious notion. Thanks to Summer 2020 I’ve seen more people than I could ever imagine taking their families to see what our province has to offer. From a long list of “World’s Biggest” like Easter Eggs, and Teapots. To jaw dropping natural wonders like the Athabasca Sand Dunes (yes, in SK!). I hope that this summer reignited a love of this place that may have been nearly extinguished. Explore more! I’ve seen more selfies from the Crooked Trees (near Mayfair) than I could have ever imagined.
And one more major highlight of Summer 2020 (and many other summers for that matter) the lakes. We are so luck to live right on the cusp of lake country. Saskatchewan has over 100,000 lakes making it easy to take your pick. Jackfish, Murray, Attons, Picnic, Twin Lakes, Greig, Kimball, Green, Fishing, Meeting, Sturgeon, Makwa, Turtle, Sandy, Brightsand, Martens… the list of lakes within an hour or two drive is incredible and every single one of them is filled with a special magic that belongs to the campers, cabin dwellers, and visitors that spend time there each year.
As Summer gives way to fall I will definitely miss these things and more but it’s not all bad, enjoy the warmth of your favorite BUNNYHUG, take some time to fill your senses with the smells of falling leaves and harvest dust, spend some time in our pristine river valley and watch as mother nature sets off slow motion fireworks amidst the leaves of Aspen, Birch, Willow and berry bushes of all kinds.
This place… it really is North Beautiful.
-Nic
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