In June, I shared my personal summer bucket list to hold myself accountable.
Living in Buffalo, I’ve already learned that I’ve got to make the most of the warmer months, because we all know what’s coming on the other side (hint: snow).
We’re halfway through the summer, so I thought I’d share the progress I’ve made on my list:
GET A TREAT FROM AN ICE CREAM TRUCK ✅
When I created this item on the list, I imagined myself hunting down a classic ice cream truck and getting a bomb pop.
Instead, I stumbled upon Nickel City Vice, Buffalo’s original ice cream sandwich truck!
Nickel City Vice doesn’t sell just any ice cream sandwich; these are gourmet, chef-crafted desserts. I got the “Rollin’ in the Dough,” which is brown butter ice cream smashed between two cookie dough cookies. It was delicious!
If I get the chance, I want to try the “Citrus got Real” (Fruit Pebble cookies with milky ice cream between) or the “This Fit is Bananas” (peanut butter cookies with banana ice cream)!
GO ON A BOAT RIDE ✅
I don’t know anyone with access to a boat (yet), so I was open to the possibilities on this one.
But, a friend and I were at Canalside on a beautiful day, and it was coincidentally 30 minutes before the next Big Kahuna Tiki Boat was scheduled to set sail!
We bought tickets and boarded. I took the history tour last year (which I really enjoyed), but the Tiki Boat is, understandably, and it was a lot of fun.
Not only is it a great ride with a beautiful view, but they have a full bar on board (with themed cocktails – I had a tequila sunrise), and they play fun music.
HAVE A MARGARITA ON A PATIO ❌
I haven’t crossed this one off the list yet, but at the time of this writing, I have plans to meet a girlfriend after work at Casa Azul for this exact reason! I’m eyeing the Casa Rita or the Spicy Habanero!
MAKE A STRAWBERRY CAKE ✅
This one didn’t require anything fancy; I bought a Duncan Hines strawberry cake mix, a can of frosting, and some fresh strawberries and checked it off the list. I don’t know if it beats a chocolate cake, but I loved the pink color and the strawberries mixed with the whipped frosting reminded me of my childhood summers.
VISIT A PARK ✅
In June, I hopped on the NFTA Parks Adventure Bus! The NFTA offers free rides (and free park entry) to several parks and nature preserves around Western New York in the summer, and a few times in the fall and winter.
It is such a cool thing they offer, and I hope it’s available year after year.
I took the bus to Sprague Brook County Park, which is 2,000+ acres of parkland!
I packed my binoculars and took a bird-watching workshop at the park, where I learned how to properly focus my binoculars and learned about some local birds.
I also packed a lunch for myself, a blanket, and a book, and spent hours just lying in the grass reading. I live in the middle of downtown, so being able to spend this much time around green grass and trees was truly a balm for my soul.
DRINK AN ICEE ❌
I haven’t done this yet… I did see that Nick Charlapp’s shack by the canal offers slushies, but I’m thinking I need a real 7/11 experience for this one. We’ll see!
READ A BEACH BOOK OUTSIDE ✅
After a trip to the beach last weekend was rescheduled, I was still able to bring a beach book to the canal! I packed a book and a drink (an NA Athletic Salt & Lime), found an empty chair, and read for a few hours out there. It was so relaxing!
The beach book I was reading was “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman, which I finished. I’m currently onto my next beach book, “Mystic Summer” by Hannah McKinnon. You can see my full summer reading list here!
ATTEND A BASEBALL GAME ✅
I live just a few blocks from Sahlen Field, and the building I live in gives us free tickets to games! I went to a game last summer, but was excited to go back. The first game I went to was on “Star Wars” night, which featured Darth Vader singing during the 7th inning stretch 🙂
For that same game, Tony Danza threw out the ceremonial pitch… and the “Who’s the Boss?” fan in me was very excited about this! Sahlen Field is a quaint stadium; it has a beautiful view of the city, but it also has some great food. Having been a few times now, my favorite thing to get is an Italian Sausage from The Dugout, and an F-Yeah from Fattey Beer. Play ball!
FLY A KITE ❌
I haven’t done this yet! But… I have been eyeing kites from Kitty Hawk, and I think I’ve got it narrowed down. I just need to order it and get out there 🙂
ATTEND OUTDOOR CONCERTS ✅
There are so many local, outdoor, FREE concerts every week here! I have already been to the Bidwell Series on Tuesday nights, and Thursdays & Main. I haven’t been to Larkin Square yet this summer, but I still have time!
GO TO FARMER’S MARKETS ✅
There is a farmer’s market every week right downtown, and I love visiting during my lunch hour. I buy myself all sorts of treats, including desserts, soda, olives, and produce. It lasts through October, and is something I look forward to each week!
JUMP ROPE ✅
I wanted to take it back to my childhood, get outside, and jump some rope. Truthfully, I was pretty nervous to do this?! I’m out of shape and wasn’t even sure if I could do it.
But I bought myself a pink beaded rope and have been outside jumping several times! I love finding different songs to motivate me, and it’s a fun excuse to get outside on a nice day. I did jump so much my knees were bothered, but have no fear, I bought some knee sleeves and PT tape… I’ll be good as new out there!
…And that’s the status update on my summer bucket list! I have plenty of time to cross off the rest of these items 🙂
I hope this serves as a friendly reminder that your summer (or any season) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to make the most of it. I’m staying on a budget, but just trying to use my time wisely.
I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the season!
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