Ah, summer. It’s only June and already I remember why cars come equipped with that AC Max feature. But, truthfully, I love the heat (I could probably do without the humidity, but since I can’t do anything about it I might as well grin and bear it). The best part of summer, in my opinion, is the long lazy evenings—best enjoyed outdoors in the company of good friends. Most of the time I’m happy to let those nights unfold at home: we’ve got a postage stamp porch, a hammock and one of those hard plastic bright blue baby pools that I like to call the “Azure Oasis” (it serves double duty as a lukewarm foot bath and mosquito breeding ground). Sometimes though, it’s nice to pull my feet out of the pool, put on some flip flops, get out of the neighborhood and enter society.
But, I’ve realized recently, that’s often easier said than done. And that’s where you, lucky reader, come in. I’m looking for places that fit three criteria:
1. Have ample outdoor spaces of some kind.
2. Don’t require a ton of planning (i.e. calling ahead, large investments of money, or treks to the boonies)
3. Offer something interesting that my front yard doesn’t.
So far I’ve found a couple of bars that fit this criteria, but am hoping to branch out. My fingers are crossed for my first outing to the North Carolina Art Museum outdoor movie series tonight (Man on Wire—not to be confused with Man on Fire—is a pretty great film if you have not seen it). I have high hopes that the nice venue, good movie and great company will turn this into a weekly event. However, that still leaves six nights of the week with nothing much to do…
Suggestions?