You know the summer is coming to a close when the sunflowers start to droop in the heat of the noonday sun. Checking in with a large field of cheery sunflowers near the Mast Store World Wide Headquarters, it’s clear from the sleepy blooms that summer is ever so slowly fading. Before we get back into the swing of another school year, here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy the last days of summer.

In Dupont State Forest, the River Bend Trail takes you to Hooker Falls and Triple Falls. Both are easy hikes for the little ones and less than a mile long. The Little River creates a beautiful, serene pool at the base of Hooker Falls and is a popular swimming spot to cool off and splash around.

KEEN’s Newport sandals for adults and children are perfect for hitting the trail and jumping in the water, too! These sandals feature a sturdy toe cap for extra protection, while still providing the ventilation needed on hot summer days. They grip easily on slippery surfaces and dry quickly when you’re out of the water and back on the trail.

The fun doesn’t have to end because the sun goes down. Eating watermelon on the front porch makes for a delicious summertime dessert, especially when followed by catching fireflies in mason jars. This summer, we strung up hammocks from two large maple trees in the front yard. Our family enjoyed many evenings watching the moon rise and stars twinkle. Learning about constellations, how to spot the planets, and catch a shooting star lighting up the night sky are all wonderful ways to spend a family evening. HERE is a great app for family stargazing. NASA even offers a printable Star Finder for each month of the year - check it out HERE.

Big enough for two and huge for one, the ENO DoubleNest Hammock is the perfect way to kick back under the night sky (or any time of day, really). Once it’s packed into its attached compression sack, this hammock is about the size of a grapefruit and weighs less than 2 pounds. For every ENO Hammock you purchase online, Mast Store will send you a free set of ENO Twilights (while supplies last)! These little lights add a touch of magic to each star gazing evening from the comfort of your own yard.

Whatever way you decide to enjoy your last few days of summer, we hope you get the chance to relax, share a laugh, and do something spontaneous before the full schedule of school gets locked in.