The summer heat is finally starting to cool off, and fall is just around the corner. It’s time to say goodbye to summer and welcome all the new season’s fun activities. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for sweater weather, football, and bowls of chili.

To celebrate the end of summer, we asked Indiana Connection readers to submit their favorite summer snapshots for our photo contest. We received many great entries. Turn to page 26 to see our winner. 

One of my favorite summer photos was taken two years ago during a vacation with my husband’s family to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Brooks is from a large family, and we try to take a summer vacation every other year to spend time together. It was our daughter Gwen’s first vacation. She was 9 months old at the time, so Brooks carried her in a special backpack while we hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

As anyone who has vacationed with small children knows, sleep can be elusive in a new place. About 10 minutes into our hike, Gwen fell asleep and stayed that way until we returned to the car. I guess the sounds of the mountains and the nearby stream made for a great natural sound machine.

Have a great summer photo, but missed the deadline for our contest? I would still love to see it. Send it to me at bdavis@indianaec.org.

Britt Davis is editor of Indiana Connection