It’s not a secret that the winter months in Ottawa can be a little bleak, so when the summer rolls around there is no way we are going to waist one minute of it! Ottawa in the summer is an almost magical place. Everyone is out enjoying the simple pleasures that our city offers and there is an excitement in the air. There are so many things that you begin to see that let you know your favourite has come around again and we’ve compiled a handy dandy list to help you recognize it’s summer in O-town.
“You know it’s summer in Ottawa when……”

1. You just stood in line for 45 minutes to enjoy a Bottega sandwich only to realize the tables outside are packed – like every other seat in the market

2. Calling in sick to spend the day at Calypso and bumping into half of your co-workers there

3. Pure Gelato’s frozen goodness becomes a staple in your diet (we don’t blame you)

4. You have to show up at Planet Coffee at 9 AM to get a seat for a 4 PM date

5. Everyone is wearing their Havaianas!

6. You head down to Beavertails to grab a quick bite to eat with a friend from out of town and bring a snack to eat while waiting in line

7. The relief of realizing that 14 year old’s tattoo is just henna done in the market …. at least you hope so

8. Lunch breaks last twice as long …. and involve twice as much wine

9. Fresh market veggies! Also, fresh market veggies with a few extra bruises as you haul your purchases through a tourist-packed market

10. Being stuck in inexplicably bad traffic on a Saturday morning because of the Lady Dive Amphibius bus which seems to (infuriatingly) top out at 30 km/h on land

11. When the tourist to locals ratio sky rockets to about 5 to 1

12. Roadtrip is on extended super duper summer evening hours!!!!
These are just our Top 12 Favorite Signs that summer is coming to Ottawa – if you and your friends have been exchanging other summer highlights or tell tale signs, make sure to leave them in the comments below or tweet them at us @roadtripcrew! Summer 2012, we’re ready for you!