The start of summer always reminds me of that feeling I got as a kid just before the last school bell rang, impatiently awaiting the sting of pool chlorine, the joy of racing bikes and the sound of the ice cream truck.

Sometimes, when we get busy and we’re going to the office, driving children from one place to another, and burning our thighs on hot car seats, we forget to stop and enjoy summer.

I made a list of traditional things we can do to remind us of summer – even if we haven’t done them since childhood.

What traditions would be on your list? Email [email protected] and let me know.

Eat food you grew yourself

(or at least by someone you know)

Even if you don’t have space or time for a vegetable garden, there’s a good chance that someone who does will bring extra tomatoes or squash or okra to the office to share with coworkers, or a neighbor will drop by with a sack of zucchini. It’s what we do in summer. And nothing tastes like those home-grown veggies.

Take an icy plunge in a hidden swimming hole

Not many things compare to the feeling of jumping into a creek or swimming hole that only a few people know about. If you find a rope swing tied to a tree along the bank, you’re obligated to give it a try.

Visit one of the many cool underground caverns

When the temperatures hover at 90 and you can’t get to one of those icy swimming holes, take a tour through a cavern that offers a constant temperature of around 60 degrees. It will make you say “Ahhhh!”

READ MORE: Awe-inspiring caves

Listen to music under the stars

Alabama hosts outdoor concerts in every music genre during the summer, often free of charge. Whether you bring a folding chair or a blanket to sit on, listening to music as the sun sets is as summery as it gets.

Take a trip to the mountains

It may be 10 degrees cooler there, but the scenery is gorgeous. Alabama may not have the tallest mountains, but it sure doesn’t skimp on views.

Head to the Gulf Coast beaches

Alabama’s beaches are some of the best along the Gulf – sugar-white sand, gorgeous water, plenty of activities and a variety of restaurants to please everyone in the family.

Go to a museum you haven’t seen in a while

It probably has new exhibits and you get to take a tour in the air conditioning. From space artifacts (Huntsville) to bugs (Decatur), from replicas of colonial America (Montevallo) to maritime exhibits (Mobile), there are plenty to choose from. And don’t forget, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery is the only museum of its kind in the nation, telling stories of victims of white supremacy.

READ MORE: Uniquely Alabama museums

Pick up an Alabama-grown watermelon at a roadside stand

And if you really want to bring back childhood, do not eat it with a fork. The proper way is to cut slices and gnaw the slice right down to the rind while juice drips everywhere. Then you can spit the seeds in your yard and let them grow.

Spend a day at a public garden

Alabama has some stunning public gardens and they really shine in summer. Botanical gardens are located in Huntsville, Birmingham, Dothan, Montgomery, Hoover, Thoedore, Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, and Mobile. Don’t forget the arboretums in Hoover, Wetumpka, Auburn, Troy and Tuscaloosa.

READ MORE: Stunning Alabama gardens

Take a hike to a beautiful waterfall

Wide, skinny, small or tall, Alabama is filled with gorgeous waterfalls. Find a map of falls and information on how to reach them here.

Go boating on one of Alabama’s lakes or rivers

There’s nothing like the feel of the wind in your hair when you’re cruising along on a boat. If you don’t own one, there are plenty for rent. Plus, when it gets too hot, you can always jump over the side for a dip.

Sip a cold drink on the porch

It can be a “Coke,” iced tea or a Mint Julep… anything as long as it’s cool and wets your whistle while you tell tales of the old days.

Visit a walk-up dairy bar

There aren’t as many as there used to be, which makes them even more special. The ones that remain have often been around for generations, such as Kreme Delite in Athens, Mrs. Story’s in Opelika and Mel’s Dairy Dream in Monroeville. Click here for a list.

Watch a movie at a drive-in theater

Nothing says “nostalgia” like a drive-in theater. Just be sure to bring bug spray and maybe a small fan. Find a list of Alabama drive-ins here.

Visit the World’s Longest Yard Sale

The best part of the World’s Longest Yard Sale is that you don’t need to buy a thing to have a good time. You can just drive from one area to the next, then wander from booth to booth, looking at the eye-popping array of unusual objects for sale. The sale runs for 690 miles through Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The Alabama portion winds along Lookout Mountain Parkway from Gadsden to Chattanooga. It begins the first Thursday in August and continues for four days. Find information here.