Here in the Inland Northwest, we live for summer

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Craig Winzer illustration

We endure the short and dark days, the snow piled up in the driveway, the leafless trees frosting overnight. We endure the long winters because we know summer will be worth it.

Summer is the reward. It's the warm breeze as you walk to a show late at night. It's the camping trip you've always wanted to go on. It's a cold splash of lake water on a hot summer day.

And now, it feels more important than ever to seize a great summer day. Who knows when a new cloud of smoke will invade the city? Who knows when we'll be hit with a natural disaster? And hey, did you read in the New York Times about UFOs being real?

It's time to treat this summer like it's the last summer ever because, really, you never know. Take out the proverbial bucket list and cross some things off. Don't have a bucket list? That's OK. We've got you covered. Here, in our annual Summer Guide, we'll share some of the things on our own list to get some ideas kicking around your head — plus, of course we have all the local events and activities you could ask for. And, yes, that includes what to do during the dreaded smoke season.