Will the real Greater Victoria summer ever arrive?
Many locals are wondering that as they look for ways to enjoy summer vacation at home with the kids, long weekends off or outdoor evenings during the longest days of the year.
Adverse weather isn’t impossible to avoid, but the bummer summer is putting a damper on planned events. Rains last weekend resulted in smaller than usual crowds for the Langford Day parade and events at City Centre Park and the farmers’ markets in Langford and Metchosin.
Farther afield, the weather played havoc with the annual Moss Street Paint-In and the inaugural Busker’s Festival in Victoria.
But by and large, the region is faring far better than say, Northern B.C., which is reeling from landslides and road washouts resulting from heavy rain.
Visitors to the area haven’t been scared away by the weather. Tourism Victoria indicates the industry is doing quite fine this season, with visitor numbers up over last year — go downtown Victoria any day and you’ll get a sense of that.
Weather is one of those subjects we all have in common, making it the most popular conversation starter. But we all have a choice as to how we look at it.
We can focus on the negative and lament the scorching hot days of summers past, the dearth of outdoor swimming opportunities and the way-late state of the produce growing season.
Or we can be thankful for what we do have, which is a pleasant climate that allows us to do a multitude of activities outdoors.
With more than half of summer still to come, people can expect plenty of opportunities to enjoy the heat of the season.
But nothing is stopping anyone from getting out there now and enjoying the many activities and events in full swing around the region — even if we are forced to bring an umbrella.