The Smells of Summer

By Maggie O'Shea on March 31, 2013

 

After the annual hibernation for winter, our noses are ready to get out and literally smell the roses. Traveling down I-71 from Columbus to Cincinnati, my pale and sun-wary friend brought out her sunscreen, and after catching a few whiffs, everyone went crazy. We began talking about how amazing the smell actually was and then continued with how excited we were for summer. We shared our dreams about lounging around the pool, playing volleyball, and driving down the road with our windows down, blasting summer tunes. This moment truly made me realize that Kramer from Seinfeld was onto something with his ocean perfume. To avoid rubbing figurative salt in the wound for those stuck in areas without the ocean, here are some more  Kramer million-dollar summer smells.

1.)  Sunscreen: Whether it’s SPF negative or 65, you know the sun should be shining when you catch a whiff of this smell. During the summer, we can throw out our perfume and moisturizing lotion and just rely on the fresh scent of sunscreen. This is the smell of being outside and safely soaking in the sunrays.

2.)  Freshly Cut Grass: This smell is a reminder of vibrant green grass, flowers, and blue skies. This is the smell of soccer and baseball games. In the winter, we lose this smell and find ourselves staying on sidewalks to avoid snow on the lifeless ground. This smell reminds us of cutting through lawns, having picnics, and throwing the Frisbee.

3.)  Summer Rain: There is a certain smell before, during, and after a summer rain that makes it really hard to dislike sporadic summer downpours. You may have to run for cover, but unless you have a pressing issue, getting caught in the rain can be fun and exhilarating. There is something special about a summer rain, especially if it brings a night thunderstorm and can be a solution for the worst insomnia.

4.)  Chlorine: This is the smell of lounging around the pool for hours. This is the smell you carry in your hair throughout the summer. This is the smell of Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, essentially the unofficial benchmarks of summer. It may turn blonde hair green, but as a brunette, it’s easy to revel in the smell of chlorine.

5.)  Bonfires: There is nothing like a late night bonfire with a group of friends roasting marshmallows, listening to your favorite tunes, and gazing up at the stars. There is nothing better than the smell of a bonfire on your clothes the next morning to remind you of a potentially amazing night. With this smell, you know what Jake Owen is singing about in his country hit, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.”

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