We have arrived, at least for our household, at summer’s end.

We may not have reached the equinox, but the ease and spontaneity of summer will give way to the structure and expectations of the school year in a few days.

It’s bittersweet.

I am anxious to be able to get back to work full time, but will miss the long days, the slow mornings, and, most of all, the time spent outdoors.

I am grateful that I have been able to give the gift of large chunks of unstructured time to my kids. They have had plenty of opportunities to get thoroughly bored—and then wildly creative as a result.

That said, we are ready for the change autumn brings—sometimes a little hustle and bustle is a good thing.

Best end of summer wishes…

All of the photos in this post were taken by my 13 year old daughter Mia on our last camping trip of the season to Central Oregon. I was more than happy to hand my camera over to her! Love her eye.

—SCB