A tribute to the season

| July 24, 2013 9:00 PM

Lazy days of summer? Whoever coined that term didn't live in North Idaho.

Rathdrum Days last weekend provided a wonderful opportunity for families to get out and have a blast, and a similar event is on tap this weekend in Hayden. In the final five or so weeks of unofficial summer, fun-seeking citizens have at least three more premier events to plan on attending:

* The 45th annual Art on the Green, Aug. 2-4

* The North Idaho Fair and Rodeo, Aug. 21-25

* The Diamond Cup Regatta hydroplane races on Lake Coeur d'Alene, Labor Day weekend

You'll read a lot more about these special gatherings in the weeks ahead, but it isn't their promotion that prompted this opinion piece. In fact, it's the opposite: This place we live is amazing even without any of the traditional headliner events. It's particularly special in the heart of a season many residents embrace above the others.

In case you're too caught up in the hard news of life here these days, the crime reports and political campaigns and capital projects and nonprofit needs, do what we do at least once each summer. Invite friends or family from afar for a visit. Take them around the area, showing off the natural beauty and the abundant availability of good restaurants, great recreation and outstanding entertainment.

Sometimes we take for granted that which surrounds us, but see it through an outsider's eyes and you'll renew your healthy perspective of home. Drive the dike road at North Idaho College with your visitors and take the kids to City Park for an hour, then walk around downtown. You'll remember pretty quickly why thousands upon thousands of people choose to visit your backyard when they have so many other alternatives.

If you can get out to community celebrations like Hayden Days, by all means, do so. They combine the best of hometown hospitality and good, clean fun.

But we submit that it is the allegedly routine day-to-day opportunities that elevate North Idaho to such special status. If these are lazy days to you, it's only because you want them to be.