Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County is one of the many lakes in the Capital Region where you can take a swim to cool off this summer.

You can eat outside and enjoy the summer at Gus's Hot Dogs on 25th Street in Watervliet.

There are few things better than an upstate summer, and I'll question the sanity of anyone who suggests otherwise. Yes, we have long winters and springs that feel just like winter. Yes, we have autumns that ... well, actually, our autumns are also pretty great.

But our fleeting summer is when this region shines, despite the mosquitoes, ticks, humidity, poison ivy, endless drone of lawn mowers and, worst of all, jackwagons who shoot off fireworks when it is not even close to the Fourth of July. Yes, summer is great, so here is my version of a regional to-do list for the season.

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Consider these to be mere suggestions, and please don't hesitate to tell me what I forgot.

Swim in a lake — Swimming in a lake is the fastest way to feel like a kid again. Moreau and Grafton state parks will do the trick, as will about 300 other local bodies of water. Don't worry about your scars with a story to tell, basketball belly or disturbingly abundant back hair. Nobody will confuse upstate New York with South Beach.........

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