Tomorrow is June 21, the longest day of the year. When the sun is out or up for so long, I feel the need to celebrate, to be outdoors and play. This desire to take in every minute of sunlight is challenged in places like Alaska, where above the Arctic circle they have 24 hours of sunlight. It’s hard to get any sleep in the summer in Alaska—the sun is intoxicating. And, I think to of those who winter over in Antarctica in 24 hours of darkness.

There are many ways to celebrate the solstice. In my mind, having an outdoor adventure is almost required.  One year I slipped my kayak into the water before dawn to watch the sun rise while on the river. I paddled north for a few hours, then floated south with the outgoing tide. I was out of the water by noon and had spent eight hours on the river. Already a full day and yet another day’s worth of sunlight stretched before me. This year I intend to do the same: paddle out with the sun.

 What I would love is to hear reader’s stories of adventures. Tell me of outdoor adventures you have had or what you intend to do tomorrow. Send your stories as a comment or as an email and I’ll post these to my blog (I am redoing my website; when I am done, there will be a reader’s tales of adventure section).