You've got 14 weeks to get LOTS of stuff done. Trust me, it's a jam-packed list

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So there we were at Captain Dan's in Shediac. The sun was shining and the scent of sea salt was in the air. We'd just finished swimming and the salt water was still visible in our less than dry hair. Sand was in places it shouldn't be; just as it should be.

Enlarge Photo

All was well.

But along with our sense of comfort was something we couldn't quite put our fingers on. A realization that, no matter how great this moment (and to be honest the many similar moments we'd had just like this) no matter how great these summer moments, we knew we couldn't hold onto them forever.

Sipping on a beer, we decided then and there that summer was slipping by too fast.

We decided summer - needed to be saved.

Rolling out the brown paper towel provided to each table for the sometimes sopping BBQ sauced burgers, self-professed summer saving 'co-captains' Melissa and I took out a pen and ripped off a large sheet.

"That's it. We're making a list," I said to my friend.

Then and there we came up with all the things we needed to do throughout the rest of the summer. Of course at this point, we only had four or so weeks left, and couldn't tick everything off the super long list we made before summer came to end.

But check them off we sure did.

Every activity, whether planned or spontaneous was checked off (even added to the list after the fact, then crossed off just to say we did it) as the summer went on.

Today is Thursday, June 19, and if you're not reading this on the date of distribution it's somewhere between June 19-25 the shelf life of this publication.

Summer officially begins tomorrow (Friday, June 20) this year and if you're catching on to where I'm going with this that gives you plenty of time to plan your summer or what my friend calls the 'Summer of (insert your own name here)' so you don't miss a moment. That gives you plenty of time to get going on your own summer list, likely cramming many activities into weekends and weeknights.

But you're in luck. I'm taking it upon myself to help you out and I'm even making it easy to follow by dividing summer up by each weekend with some sort of you-can-only-do-this-in-the-summer activity.

That's 14 weeks kids.

You can thank me later.

Now grab your brown paper towel and a pen and let's get this summer going! Week one: June 21 - Summer begins In honour of this year's summer solstice what officially begins the summer; I say head out after work Friday, June 20 and kick back with some sangria to mark the occasion. Recommended location: Mexicali Rosa's aka Mexi's which makes a great pitcher of sangria that's big enough for sharing. If you're there early enough, watch the sun set from their patio on what's one of the longest days of the year and sip in the beginning of this great season.

This weekend is all about taking in your local surroundings, so when you get up Saturday head outside. If in Saint John, go for a bike ride in Rockwood Park; in Fredericton, a walk in O'Dell Park; in Moncton, head to Centennial Park's TreeGo, Splash Park, or take in some swinging or sliding on classic playground equipment - doesn't matter which city. Picnics are also recommended.

Also - any weeknight you can hop out of work early and head to the beach or some sort of body of water in close proximity to where you live - is a must-do. This is highly encouraged throughout the entire summer.

Week two: June 28: Be patriotic Canada Day gets underway this year on Tuesday, so enjoy your extra day off. But there are still activities throughout New Brunswick to take in this weekend; so check out what's going on in your specific city. You can even celebrate Canada's 141st birthday this weekend at Kings Landing, where staff will reenact the Confederation debate.

You even get to vote.

Don't forget about the fireworks show on Tuesday, which starts at dusk in Moncton, Fredericton and Saint John.

Week three: July 5: Rise with the Tides In Saint John, check out many of the Rising Tides Festival's 12 days of sports, music and culture. Highlights for this weekend include Randy Bachman, Dave Gunning, Jessica Rhaye and Serena Ryder at Saint John's Lady Beaverbrook Rink Sunday, July 6.

Not in Saint John and don't want to travel there? Head to the 59th annual Shediac Lobster Festival which runs July 2-6. You're sure to be entertained by either the rides or many lobster eating contests. Head to www.shediaclobsterfestival.ca for more information.

In Fredericton, go 'Under the Stars' with the Sunday movie Lavender Hill Mob (Alec Guiness, Audrey Hepburn, 1951 comedy/crime). Every Sunday movies are projected onto a huge screen outdoors in downtown Fredericton as part of this series. You can bring your own lawn chair and enjoy. I'm so jealous of this free weekly summer event in Barracks Square, I want to lobby my city to copy it (imitation is the best form of flattery n'est-ce pas?) For other Under the Stars films this summer, see oh I'll just post them here:

July 6 Lavender Hill Mob (Alec Guiness, Audrey Hepburn, 1951) Comedy/Crime July 13 3:10 to Yuma (Glen Ford, 1957) Western July 20 That Touch of Mink (Doris Day, Cary Grant, 1962) Comedy/Romance July 27 The Thomas Crown Affair (Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, 1968) Drama/Romance August 3 Casablanca (Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, 1943) Drama/Romance August 10 James Bond: From Russia with Love (Sean Connery, 1963) Action/Adventure August 17 Lost Horizon (Ronald Coleman, Jane Wyatt, 1937) Adventure/Fantasy August 24 Houseboat (Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, 1958) Comedy/Romance August 31 Double Header: Gidget Goes Hawaiian (Sandra Dee, 1961) Comedy and The Man Who Knew Too Much (Doris Day, James Stewart, 1956) Suspense Week four: July 12: Salty Jam it up So this weekend's suggestion may seem unfair since I highlighted Saint John's Rising Tides Fest for last week. But hear me out: SLOAN'S playing this year's Salty Jam (which runs July 11-12 in Saint John, with Sloan playing July 12). That should be all you need to head there and crash with friends if you don't live in the Port City.

I'll be in Moncton in one of my bestest bud's wedding party. She's really nice, but I'm sure she can't fit you in too. Sorry you weren't all invited. Salt your wounds with the Atlantic National Car Show in downtown Moncton this weekend instead.

In Fredericton, spend the weekend downtown. Watch the Changing of the Guard, do the riverboat tour you'll find plenty downtown to keep you busy.

Week five: July 19: It's time to go camping Get your gear together and head off for the weekend. Bring friends, beer and some food and you're guaranteed a good time. When it comes to camping you can camp at lots near a beach, or do the camping/hiking/roughing it thing. Make sure to decide before you go what's best for you and your crew. Need help deciding what area/campground is best for you? New Brunswick's tourism website at www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca lists 138 options for all your tenting needs.

Week six: July 26: Go 'Provincial' or even 'National' I know wherever you live in New Brunswick, a National or Provincial Park is close to your house. Head there this weekend; take a nature walk, a dip in your chosen park's likely freezing cold waterfall or beach. Rent a canoe or paddle boat.

New Brunswick's National Parks are Fundy and Kouchibouguac.

Our Provincial Parks include:

Les Jardins de la République Provincial Park - Edmundston Herring Cove Provincial Park - Campobello Island Mactaquac Provincial Park - Mactaquac (near Fredericton) Mount Carleton Provincial Park - St. Quentin Murray Beach Provincial Park - Murray Corner New River Beach Provincial Park - New River Beach (Near Saint John) Parlee Beach Provincial Park - Shediac The Rocks Provincial Park - Northern Bay of Fundy near Hopewell Cape Sugarloaf Provincial Park - Campbellton - Maybe you've never run up/down a ski hill in the summer, maybe it's time.

The Anchorage Provincial Park - Grand Manan Val Comeau Provincial Park - Val Comeau Oak Bay Provincial Park - Oak Bay Week seven: August 2: Join the 'Boys of Summer' The Eagles have finally landed! Magnetic Hill Moncton plays host to this summer's hottest concert in New Brunswick. Joining the band are the Sam Roberts Band, John Fogerty and KT Tunstall. General admission tickets are $124.50 (plus tax and fees) and can be purchased at all Sobeys stores across Atlantic Canada or online at www.tickets.moncton.ca. If your nine-year-old self is squealing with delight, you likely have tickets to the Backstreet Boys show the night before the Eagles land in Moncton. Don't worry, I won't judge.

Week eight: August 9: Kick back and relax Take the weekend off. Sit on your deck, read etc...If you've gone to all these places or done many of these things on this list, you're likely a bit pooped. Stay home this weekend, maybe have people over for a BBQ (see some tips to hosting a good BBQ party in this week's issue) and just kick back and relax while enjoying the summer. You could even host a washer tourney.

Week nine: August 16: Tubing time! I really want to do this and so it makes the list. I've heard for many years now about tubing along the Miramichi River; it's cheap, relaxing fun. I basically plan to head with my crew to a corner store in Miramichi and ask where I need to go. But if you're less adventurous, you can call Kenzie's Tubing (Hwy 420 West) toll-free at 1-877-778-8823.

Week 10: August 23: Test your fears What would allow you to test your fears? Is it rappelling at Cape Enrage at 9 a.m., 12 noon or 3 p.m. sessions? Will heading down Magic Mountain's Kamikaze do it? What about hopping on a balloon at the Atlantic International Balloon Festival in Sussex? If you chose that last air hopping adventure, the fest isn't for another two weeks but you may want to see if there's any way you can book now as those lineups can get very long. Or if you're really ballsy, head skydiving in your area.

Week 11: August 30: Explore Go off the beaten bath this weekend and explore somewhere new. Somewhere you've never been is a good place to start, like Bass River; or a spot many may not know about is another good option. I'm not advocating the illegal (hint: Gordon/Gibson Falls in Elgin, just 40 minutes from Moncton) because that'd be well - illegal. But the waterfall there IS pretty darn cool.

If you're near Fredericton, check out the hidden gem that is Grand Lake. A short drive from Fredericton, this lake is HUGE. Make friends with someone in one of the many cottages along the river, because I'm pretty sure the area may be private, not public. (Again, here I am straddling the law). Head to www.grandlakenb.info for information.

In Saint John, you've likely explored the Reversing Falls but how about...OK honestly - I got nothing. Sorry SJ-ers, all of Saint John is pretty much unexplored territory for me. Just head somewhere you've never been, even if it's St. Martin's.

Week 12: September 6: Have a whale of a time I've been told my whole life there are whales to be seen in New Brunswick.

Go find them dear readers.

If not, Freddy's FREX (www.frex.ca) is wrapping up this weekend and is always a good option.

Week 13: September 13: Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival This is what visitors and residents of Fredericton wait for all summer long. The city comes alive throughout the Harvest Jazz Fest each year, with big names, local acts and soon-to-be-favourites performing throughout the four-day festival. This year, Bloc Party and Derek Trucks have already been announced with more goodies to come. I highly suggest making it up to Fredericton this weekend, the city is never 'bumping' more. I'm not even going to suggest activities for Moncton or Saint John. Harvest is worth it.

Week 14: September 20: Say 'bye' to summer So this is your last summer weekend. The weather is getting colder, but it's definitely still nice out, so no fretting just yet.

Since this is summer's 'last call' this calls for something definitively 'summer' worthy. Must-do-it activities for this weekend include eating an ice cream CONE, nothing about a dish of ice cream defines summer.

Go for a swim. Yeah, so what it's September and the water's cold it's only going to get colder from here.

Have a water fight, maybe even with water balloons but don't forget to throw in the hose somewhere in there and get your unsuspecting friends really, really good.

Head to a patio for a meal last year resto patios in Moncton left us on October 18 (I remember because it was a sad, sad day - who knows when they'll go this year). BBQ with friends.

All of that's easily do-able, but there's just one more thing.

You watched the sun set on the first day of summer, you may as well watch it fall on the last day of summer too, which is technically September 22 this year. Now I know some of you students may think summer ends when the bell rings beckoning you back to class, but you'd be wrong. One season ends when another begins. So September 22 is when fall starts and the glorious summer of (insert your name here) ends.

But, just do one more thing for me. Try to keep those sandals and flip-flops on. Make it your goal to not sock-it up until Thanksgiving.

Hold onto summer whatever way you can.

Now get going. You've got a list to complete.

Check our summer events listings on the following pages for other hints on what to do this summer. Have your own summer list you want to share? Send a letter to the editor with your choices/summer activities to Breanna@urbanpublications.com