Ken Graham: From the Publisher

Summer starts this weekend (it's called summer solstice). It'll be gone before you know it, so here are some things you can do to make it more fun and more memorable: 10. Go to the Snake. Lyons Ferry Marina has great food and a boat launch. Walk out to the end of the point and watch the fishermen. The Lyons Ferry Park, right across the bridge, is open this summer too. 9. Go camping on the Tucannon. I haven't been camping in years, but I should. Campgrounds up the Tucannon are great for fishing or just staring at the river. 8. Make a smoothie. We freeze bananas, strawberries and blueberries, so you don't have to water it down with ice. Add yogurt (or ice cream, if that's your thing) and orange juice in the blender. A little dark chocolate doesn't hurt either. 7. Wash your windows. If you don't do this regularly, you don't know what you're missing. I live in the country in a two-story house with big windows. That makes the job more of a hassle, but the results are spectacular. No matter where you live, the trees will be greener and the sky will be bluer. 6. Drive to Bluewood. (Hint: wash the windows on your car before you go.) It's a grind up the hill in the winter to go skiing. But in the summer, the Bluewood highway is spectacular, and the traffic is non-existent. I saw a bear once. 5. Sit in the sun. Too much sun isn't good for you, but scientists are learning that too little sun is bad too. Spending some time in the sun - with the proper protection - provides vitamin D and improves your mental outlook. Just don't get carried away. 4. Harvest your wheat. Sorry, I had to throw that in. If you grow it, you gotta cut ithellip;in the summer. 3. Ride your bike. At least 99 percent of the people in the Touchet Valley don't ride bikes. (Okay, I'm just guessing, and that's probably high, but you know what I mean.) This is a magical place to ride. Depending on how comfortable you feel on two wheels, you might want to just ride around town in Dayton or Waitsburg a little bit. Once you're comfortable, head out to some of our barely traveled county roads. They're up and down, but the hills are doable. If you're feeling like a challenge, take on the middle Waitsburg hill. If you're feeling like a bigger challenge, ride to Bluewood. I'm pretty old and I've done it a few times. It's a beautiful and rewarding ride, and the second part is a blast. 2. Buy (or grow) fresh produce. We go to Klickers. (Well I don't, but you know what I mean.) Or you can go to the farmer's market, or join a CSA. Or get it from your neighbor, or grow it yourself. Fresh strawberries are almost done. Raspberries and blackberries will be here before you know it. Beans, corn, melons, tomatoes, peaches, pears. Every day you drive by some of the best food in the world. Might as well get some for yourself. 1. Read The Times outside. Unlike your phone and your tablet, going outside will actually make this newspaper easier to read. Same goes for good books (and bad ones too).