Just the word “summertime” conjures up images of fireflies, sunshine, and endless hours of fun. We asked the brokers and staff of Nest Realty to share their favorite summertime memories. Here’s what they had to say:
“Shindig on the Green in Pack Square park downtown every Saturday ‘along about sundown’, musicians and dancers take the stage. My family loves this tradition of Southern Appalachia on summer evenings in the mountains.”
ANGIE CULLEN, Associate Broker, Asheville
“It’s late June, about 8:30 p.m., time to relax on the deck and gaze out at the horses with their heads buried in the deep grass. The fireflies start lighting up, first just a few, then thousands rising up from the fields into the tall trees.”
JOHN INCE, Associate Broker, Charlottesville
“Flying a kite with my three year old daughter on the beach in Sandbridge.”
JOEY CONOVER, Agent, Charlottesville
“Swimming at Blue Hole, a swimming hole just outside the Shenandoah National Park in Sugar Hollow. The way the sunlight filters through the trees is truly magical! And jumping off the boulder brings me back to my childhood.”
KAREN BALL, Associate Broker, Charlottesville
“Living at Wrightsville Beach allows for many cherished summertime memories. Setting out in late afternoon on an 18′ boat to gently cruise up the Intracoastal Waterway in search of pelicans skimming the surface of the crystal clear azure waters, sunlight dappling the water as the sun starts to set, and the sound of the waves crashing the shore in the short distance to the ocean.”
SUSAN HARKINS, Broker, Wilmington
“Spending time with my wife and son playing golf at Old Trail while getting lost in the scenic mountain views of Crozet.”
GREG SLATER, Associate Broker, Charlottesville
“Saying hello and goodbye to our beach, Sunset Beach, North Carolina. It’s my favorite beach and we’ve been going for years. For us, its the perfect combination of beach, housing options, driving distance and maximum relaxation.”
ANGELA HAWKINS, Agent, Charlottesville
“Visiting beautiful Bath County and hiking along the Jackson River. Lots of great fly fishing and hiking all around. An instant escape and only an hour and a half drive from Cville!”
MARTHA CAMPBELL, Associate Broker, Charlottesville
“Getting up early and hitting the water with my husband to paddle board. Being out on the water and seeing all the beauty that surrounds us in this great town we are lucky to live in. Live Where You Love.”
LIZ BIANCHINI, Broker, Wilmington
“My first memory that came forward for me that put a calming smile on my face and a breathing of the memory in a tearful and beautiful way was waking up to the smell of my father mowing the lawn and the comforting smell of the grass. Also the smells coming from from the kitchen and my mom making a yummy breakfast for the family. Also the joy knowing school was over for the year and summer was now here and all the fun swimming activities we would have.”
CYNTHIA VIEJO, Associate Broker, Charlottesville
“Summers at my grandparent’s New Hampshire lodge: rock-walking in creeks & rivers, picking blueberries, hitting golfballs off the front lawn, oatmeal for breakfast, cooked on a wood burning range, walking up to town for ice cream and penny candy at the soda shop, cool evenings, warm bonfires fires.”
AMY WEBB, Associate Broker, Charlottesville
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A group of us all got together on our boats for another sunny Saturday afternoon and a beachside BBQ. Rolled out the grill ( yes, off the boat) and all the fixins & enjoyed a dinner with friends, while our toes where in the sand, sunset on the horizon, and a cold cocktail in sand. The best day is a boat day!”
JENNIFER YOUNG, Broker, Wilmington
“I love everything about long summer days — squeezing in every minute of outdoor time I can get. Summertime memories are full of hiking, swimming, picnics and laying under the stars.”
SUSAN KALERGIS, Account Manager, Charlottesville
“Summer nights in July as a barefoot child spent chasing fireflies in the cool green grass with my cousins.”
JANET WHITWORTH, Associate Broker, Asheville
“Grabbing some friends, some inner tubes, some cold beverages, and floating down the New River. Nothing beats it.”
JEREMY HART, Principal Broker, New River Valley
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Hands down, it would be my time at sleep-away summer camp. My camp was like something out of a movie. Canoes, archery, horseback riding, arts-n-crafts, go-karts, bonfires, capture the flag. I’ll carry those memories with me forever.”
SARA BELKOWITZ, Director of Operations and Brand Strategy, Charlottesville
“When I was growing up, my family would always go to Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina. We would rent a big house on the canals and spend at least a week. I fondly remember spending all day in the water, walking to the ice cream store, and watch fisherman at the pier.”
SARAH STELMOK, Principal Broker, Fredericksburg
“In the summer months, I like to start my day with a swim as the sun comes up. Just me, the dolphins, and the pelicans! It’s breathtaking.”
JAMIE JANKOWSKI, Broker, Wilmington
“Last summer, I canoed the French Broad with my son and the Scouts of Troop 26. We did some safety training, but the most fun thing was the water fights and tipping one another’s canoes. Seeing the Biltmore Estate from the water was incredible. A unforgettable day!”
WILTON GRAVES, Principal Broker, Asheville
“Getting great surf from a hurricane swell at a secret break here in SENC then chasing the swell all the way to Narragansett, RI with my best friend. Barrels for miles!”
ERIC KNIGHT, Broker, Wilmington
“Participating in The Color Run with my daughter at the end of July…..Running the streets of Asheville getting sprayed with fun colors. We also love to spend our week-ends with friends at the Grove Park Pool.”
LAURA MOYE, Associate Broker, Asheville
“Our family vacation to my parent’s home in New Hampshire. I shared my love of sailing with my daughters and loved watching them paddle board around the lake. We spent very little time in front of screens and a lot of time recreating and relaxing.”
SKIP SLOCUM, Associate Broker, New River Valley
“Digging for clams in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where I grew up!”
LISA BERRY, Realtor, Fredericksburg
“Beautifully endless days—school but a distant memory—that stretched into long, forever evenings. Fireflies and bullfrogs, creek beds and woodland fantasies. All day, everyday, seemingly in perpetuity. Until mom’s screech from the porch, “Billy, bath time, dinner, RIGHT NOW!” Quick farewells to forever friends. Until tomorrow’s endless summer…”
BILL MARTIN, Associate Broker, Charlottesville
What’s your favorite summertime memory? We’d love for you to share your favorite memories in the comments!