“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”
No, for even a perfect day would fall short of you, Colorado, in summer.
You are unreasonably beautiful, and I, for one, eagerly await your return each year.
When the snow finally melts for good and apartment pools crack open.
There is something rather mystical, though, about your annual mark.
Something soft yet surprising, always evoking a smile that causes cheeks to sore.
You bring joy, yes –
But why?
Sun-drenched Patios
The Lowdown: Is it the communal gathering of souls, around happy hour, seated in iron chairs that leave a scalding bite upon many a scorched tush?
Even in the dog days of summer, we have no shortage of breweries and bars, each carrying its own signature summer staple from Aperol Spritzes, tantalizing in their bitterness yet oddly welcomed. Others offer “lunchboxes,” a Corona paired with a shot of tequila, guaranteed to squelch the daily concerns. But alas, Colorado is already a social state.
Almost Bugless
The Lowdown: What about how venturing through tall grasses or forests rarely requires checking for a newfound tick, leeching for blood? Perhaps not even a raised red mark from a mosquito, callously demanding an itch? Granted, the occasional river area or reservoir may carry its own insect brood and cicadas remain unseen yet always heard in the month of August. But slapping at the tickle of something on your arm usually reveals that of a sun-kissed mark and less of a splattered bug carcass.
A Mile High Glow
The Lowdown: A mile above the ground greets the sun closer than most, leaving tan lines in the silliest of places. Some wear their Garmin watch year-round, only to reveal its striking imprint once removed, albeit rare. Others may don a baggy t-shirt, welcoming half of their arm to the summer months while the other stays stuck in December. Even though the UV index here frequently reaches double digits, Mother Nature does offer some solace, especially in the afternoon.
The Day’s Ephemeral Rumbles
The Lowdown: The storms that toil in around 4 p.m.” shake the darling buds of May,” crashing relentlessly with occasional hail pelting down. But lo and behold, the streets are high and dry by the time 5 p.m. tolls. Those post-work bells ring in perfect timing to still take the dog out for an evening stroll, or arrive at your nightly destination feeling a little more cool, and a whole lot more renewed.
Rhythm in The Red Rock
The Lowdown: Now, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater and its summer concert lineup are a reason enough to visit Colorado. And for those that live here, a visit is often the crux of the whole season. Performers like Zed’s Dead and Quinn XCII left behind cacophonous rhythms and ricocheting beats, still echoing from that noble venue. And yet, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater hosts concerts and shows nearly year-round, even in the face of inclement weather. So, maybe it’s the nearby trails and adventurous offerings that add to your glory, Colorado, in summer?
Silent Forests and Trails
The Lowdown: Those infamous Colorado trails and their quiet hush invite a sweet solitude, blooming beneath monumental trees and panoramic mountainside views. This joyful serenity is especially apparent when heading up early in the day, where chances are less likely that either a small child akin to that of a mountain goat or an elderly hiking god with no trekking poles can whiz past.
Reflective Alpine Pools
The Lowdown: Oh, but what about the alpine lakes? The ones that only reveal themselves after the mountainous snowcaps melt, pooling in the soft crevices below? Only the faint of heart dare dip into these frigid waters, unless one of the trendsetters riding the ever-growing cold plunge wave joins in. But, those do seem rather unique to you, Colorado, in summer.
The Long, Cool Evenings
The Lowdown: Lest we forget, arguably the mightiest of all, those summer nights. When the moon takes its turn in the sky and a cool breeze brushes the cheek, making a night out on Larimer Street or South Broadway feel more like glee than discomfort, with no humidity clinging to the skin. And those stars. The stars that frame the night sky. They greet the party-goers, yes, but they shine especially bright for the campers West of Denver.
“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date,” with the arrival of August.
We feel it slowly slipping into the next season of fire-colored nostalgia, left now with a conglomerate of tangled emotions toward you, Colorado, in summer.
We can track all of your sensations, patterns and tendencies, yes.
We can even shake you till you break, demanding an answer.
But, none of them carry more weight than the rest. They are just brushstrokes, really, on the canvas of your beauty.
Perhaps this is a lot simpler in reality.
An awareness of intoxicating feelings at the forefront, untouched by ruminative impulse.
Maybe that’s enough as is.
And, if that’s the case –
I like you, Colorado, in summer.
All italicized quotes are attributed to Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18.