The Longest Day of the Year

Today marks the beginning of the Summer Solstice — the Longest Day of the Year. More light means more time for everyone to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and kick off the summer season in fine style. We’ve got a diverse group of people here at Backpacker — let’s take a quick tour and find out how everyone’s rockin’ the Solstice, shall we?

“I will be busying myself packing for the first ever Boulder Ladies Backpacker trip up to Fern Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. I’m sure I will be sipping on a frosty cold chardonnay in the process.” — Joanne Hopkins, Office Manager.

“I’m flying from Colorado to Wisconsin to gain more latitude and an extra 11 minutes of daylight. The sunset time in Boulder, CO is 8:33 p.m. 8:44 p.m. in central Wisconsin.” — Kris Wagner, Map Editor

“I’m kicking off the summer with frozen yogurt on my deck tonight, then resting up for a backpacking trip at Rocky Mountain National Park tomorrow–where I’ll wait impatiently for the enduring sun to set so I can see those alpine stars.” — Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Assistant Editor

“I’ll start the day with a dawn ride up Flagstaff Mountain (in Boulder)…alas, the lactic will sit there in my legs all day as I board a flight at DIA at 11 a.m. and fly the friendly skies to Paris, managing to shorten the year’s longest day by 8 hours. Fortunately, I get those hours back next Saturday when I return, so maybe I get a second chance at spending the solstice in proper style.” Jonathan Dorn, Editor-in-Chief

“Today, just drink a beer. Tomorrow — a family member’s summer solstice wedding in the mountains with an entire solstice theme….and there may be Wiccans there.” — Kent Ebersole, Publisher

“I’m celebrating by taking my wife out on a date to Centro’s to drink between one and 5 margaritas before putting my bike on her car to have her drive us home. Then tomorrow, for 2nd longest day of the year, I’m strapping a coleman grill to my pack and hiking up to Jasper Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness for a cookout and overnighter. I got this Solstice thing dialed.” — Shannon Davis, Associate Editor

“I am going to ride the 63rd Street to Nelson Loop, near Hygiene, CO. Then I’ll celebrate the start of summer with a glass of champagne at Mateo.” — Charina Lumley, Marketing Director

“I’m going to eat Greek food, see a movie with friends, and go home to pack for a weekend of backpacking!” — Evelyn Spence, Senior Articles Editor

“I’ll be cruising around wash park in Denver on my beach cruiser, accompanied by about 10 other cruisers. Beach Cruising is an addictive habit that never gets old — especially on the longest day of the year.”— Sarah Wetzler, Online Marketing Manager

“Happy Hour!” — Jackie McAffrey, Assistant Art Director

“I’m going to stay inside and watch tv – ha! Just kidding!!!” Genny Wright, Associate Photo Editor

As for yours truly, I don’t have definite plans, but I’m sure it’ll be outdoors and booze-soaked.

What about you, dear readers? What are your plans for the longest day of the year?

— Ted Alvarez