Cookouts, camp-outs, getting out or just hanging out
In summertime, it has been sung, the living is easy. The question is: Can it be even easier?
If you take the advice of NAIT grads, then yes!
We’ve gathered a list of summer essentials for better eating, road-tripping, staying active and keeping well, each tip from an expert in the field. If good times are your goal, we’re singing from the same songbook!
Happy summer from the team at techlifetoday!
1. Make the best burgers ever
The burger may be a summer staple but that shouldn't keep it from being special. From Culinary Arts instructor Chris Short (class of ’96), here’s all you need to know about meat, buns and toppings to make you the season’s go-to grill guru.
2. Become a car-camping expert
Do you have a patch kit? How about a clothesline? Tweezers? If you’re considering a getaway and answered no to any of these, Forest Technology instructor John Caldwell (class of ’94) has the ultimate list for your next car-camping adventure.
3. Go on a day trip
Within a two-hour drive from the city’s downtown, you can find serene waterways and landscapes. You can seek out wildlife, immerse yourself in history, or explore unique places that defy categorization, including a number of “world’s largest” sites. Here are five trip ideas from writer Joan Marie Galat (Biological Sciences Technology – Environmental Sciences ’84).
4. Get a locally made beer
We know: Your ol’ reliable, mass-produced lager is already made in Alberta. But a craft beer from an independent, rather than multinational, brewery is made by a local small business that supports other local small businesses by using local ingredients and supplies. It’s also delicious. Check out our list of breweries owned or operated by grads.
5. Spend a day in William Hawrelak Park
After three long years, one of Edmonton's favourite parks has reopened after extensive rehabilitation – a project that was led by NAIT grads. Admire their handiwork by strolling alongside the lake, throwing a frisbee in the field, hitting the playground and more.
6. Go looking for birds
"Peep" quiz! How many bird species live in Alberta? If you live in Edmonton, you may feel like you have trouble counting past “magpie.” But the answer is actually more than 400. To see many of them, check out the map above for places recommended by a Biological Sciences Technology instructor and the link below for viewing tips from a grad.
7. Eat a lot of zucchini
Zucchini is the plant that just keeps giving – sometimes even more than you know what to do with. To help, Karl MacKinnon (Cooking ’14) and baker Amy Mancor (Baking '08) have seven simple but delicious ideas.
8. Explore local nature
After years as an environment educator for a variety of clients, Michelle Harris (Biological Sciences Technology – Renewable Resources ’11) decided to take her efforts even further. The result is Explore the Green Side of Edmonton, 340 pages of expert guidance to exploring the incredible bounty and beauty of the natural world in and around the city.
9. Make the most of the summer music festival season
Nothing beats soaking up sweet Alberta sunshine and hearing your favourite artists at a music festival in a sea of like-minded souls. After all, it’s about the music, man – and maybe the occasional visit to the beer gardens. A little planning can make the difference between enjoying the show or missing out, so we tapped Mike Anderson (Marketing ’98, Management ’99), president of Trixstar Productions, for tips.
10. Pass an afternoon on a patio
Summer is a great time for doing very little. That’s an activity that pairs well with snacks and drinks indoors or out – ideally at a spot owned or operated by a NAIT grad. Here’s your list. Cheers!
If you enjoyed that article, try these:
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
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