By By Adrienne McKenzie
Summertime is almost here and I am so excited!
It is nearly time for many months of delightful sunshine and warmth to arrive. I just wish I knew when those fun days will decide to stick around awhile. The weather will be so nice and then it will get cold and then go back to warm and then back to cold, but eventually the heat is going to stick and we will all be wrapped in a blanket of sunshine.
I love summer. I enjoy being outdoors. I like taking walks outside, going to water parks and shopping at outlet malls. All those things are great if it's warm outside.
My favorite place to go when it gets warm is the beach. I love Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In fact, that is where I went this past Saturday with my friend Anna. We would go there all the time when we were in high school and in junior college together at Jefferson Davis. Unfortunately we do not get to go as often now, but when we do we have a ton of fun.
Living in Atmore I realized there are plenty of things to do here when the weather is nice. Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve is a really great place to go if you are looking for a day of lounging and tanning. I have yet to go out there for anything other than work, but I hope to go out there a lot this summer to go tubing and work on my tan.
If you do not enjoy dipping into water that has creatures in it that don't like people, including snakes, there are three pools in the area that are great for swimming during the summer. There is the Tom Byrne Park pool, the Houston Avery Park pool and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians pool. All three of these facilities are great for swimming and each one is watched over by well-trained lifeguards.
I think summertime is an important part of the year for children. Of course the school-year is also important because children learn many things in the fine Atmore area schools. But, I think it's a good idea for children to go outside and play during the summer. It is important for them to learn at an early age the value of getting outdoors and living life to the fullest. It is not healthy for them to spend all of their time inside playing video games, watching DVDs and eating junk food.
The sun is great for them, in moderation of course, and playing is great exercise.
If you aren't certain what you should have your children doing outside, get in touch with Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. I am sure employees at the center can give you plenty of ideas on how to not only entertain your children outdoors, but also teach them about the natural environment of Alabama.
The least you can do for your kids is to buy them a bicycle and send them out on their own exploration, if they are old enough to be left alone.
Summer is much better than winter, in my opinion of course, and I think there is something for everyone outdoors if they look hard enough.
Now we just have to wait and see when the Atmore weather is going to warm up and stay warm!
Adrienne McKenzie is managing editor for The Atmore Advance. She can be reached at 368-2123.