Ideas for a Crazy Summer to-Do List

While the term "to-do list" is most often associated with those seemingly endless lists of less-than-thrilling stuff that needs to get done (like laundry), you can turn your to-do list into your favorite piece of paper by making a list to guide you in having the craziest, most thrilling summer of your life. Whether you are taking a summer sabbatical from work to enjoy yourself or you have to squeeze your summer activities into your regular schedule, a crazy summer to-do list helps you make the most of the season.

  1. Take a Surfing Lesson

    • Many surf companies offer women-only surf lessons.

      Experience the thrill of speeding down the face of a breaking wave, and the rush that surfers call "stoke," by taking a surfing lesson. Almost any coastal region has some area known as a good beginner spot. Ask around at local surf shops for recommendations for savvy instructors and rental shops. If you don't live near the coast, seize the summer as a perfect time to travel to the ocean and indulge in sun, surf and adrenaline.

    Host a Luau

    • Recruit friends or hire musicians to perform Hawaiian music.

      Gather your friends or family together for a backyard Hawaiian-style luau. Dig a pit and roast a whole pig if you are the kind of person who relishes a technical and culinary challenge. Otherwise, stick with food inspired by the culture and produce of the Hawaiian islands, such as barbecued pork sandwiches, Blue Hawaiians (cocktails), grilled pineapple and shrimp, and a luscious array of fresh island produce like papaya, coconut, mango and avocado. Listen to Hawaiian music and savor the aloha.

    Take a Cross-country Road Trip

    • Avoid unsafe driving situations like overcrowded convertibles.

      Travel across the country by car or rail, taking in roadside attractions and getting to know the varied landscapes in different regions. Head for one far-off destination or plan a themed road trip. For example; if you live in the United States, you can set off for the California coast, drive around Lake Superior, seek out greasy spoon diners throughout the East Coast to find the best French toast, or plot a meandering trip through the region and landmarks that spawned the blues.

    Climb a Mountain

    • Take a commemorative summit photo.

      Challenge yourself and your quadriceps by climbing to the top of a mountain. Depending upon which mountain you attempt, summer may be the only time you can summit without needing technical alpine travel gear like crampons and ice axes. Locate a mountain or hill in your area that offers a route to the summit, suited to your fitness level and navigating abilities. Recruit a gung-ho summit buddy, pack sufficient water, layers, food, a camera and a first-aid kit, and cross "climb a mountain" off your crazy to-do list.