What's the "smell" of summer?
June 25, 2025 | Sparkle Wednesday
July 4th is just around the corner, which means we’re officially in the heart of summer! Today’s question is an easy one—sparked by a recent beach trip.
Last Thursday, we had the day off for Juneteenth, so we packed a picnic and headed to Lake Johanna in Arden Hills. (Side note: I’m on a personal mission to rate city lakes based on four highly scientific criteria:
The lake itself
The beach
Proximity (aka how easy it is to get there)
Amenities - snacks, bathrooms, etc.)
It was one of those perfectly warm days - not too hot, not that sticky, escape-to-the-movie-theater kind of heat. Just right for being outside.
And while we were soaking it all in, I caught that unmistakable scent of summer. You know the one I mean - Coppertone. The classic brown bottle, probably SPF 4 (which feels ridiculous these days, but hey, it was the ’80s).
So tell me, am I alone here? Or is Coppertone the quintessential smell of summer?
What about you. What’s your smell of summer?
BTW - Lake Johanna scored a 3.25/5.
I totally agree. Sunscreen all the way!!!! My old roomie used to put sunscreen on her arms in the middle of the winter to fight seasonal depression, haha
I love the lake rating scale. Please keep us posted. I have friends who rate supper clubs- it’s fun. I agree that sun lotion is a smell of summer, but also bug spray, camp fires, and cedar trees.