Summer fun begins - in April

Sunny skies, temperatures in the upper 80s... Summer arrived Saturday in the Northeast, and it was a great weekend for those of us with outdoor activities planned.

For Julie and Christine, it was the annual Encampment weekend when all the Girl Scout troops from Fanwood and Scotch Plains take over Camp Hoover in northwestern New Jersey. After a cool Friday night, they had perfect weather for boating on Swartswood Lake on Saturday morning and other activities throughout the day. By the time they left at midday Sunday it was really getting hot.

Christine and friends at Camp Hoover

For Andy, it was the annual Boy Scout weekend at Six Flags Great Adventure. Hundreds of Boy Scouts from around New Jersey camped out Friday and Saturday nights on vacant land Six Flags owns adjacent to the amusement park. They spent all day Saturday in the park and on the rides. The El Toro roller coaster and Batman: The Ride were among the highlights, Andy said. He fulfilled the cooking requirements for a First Class Scout and is getting close to earning that rank.

Left on his own, Dan headed for - can you guess? - yes, the beach. He enjoyed an afternoon of solitary communing with the sea, sand and sky, and of course took some photos.

Sea gulls on the beach at the north end of Sandy Hook,
with the New York skyline in the distance.

The sun sets over Sandy Hook Bay.

How did you spend the taste-of-summer weekend?
Please let us know.
Keep in touch!