Finish summer on a strong note Summer Stretch

Folks, the clock is ticking. You have until Sept. 22, at 10:49 a.m. to experience summer and all its glory, before the Northern Hemisphere slips into the autumnal equinox. Yes, fall. Not that crinkly leaves are a bad thing, but well, it's not summer. If you're at a loss for ways to spend the final days of summer 2012, read on.

1. Get out and go.... or not. You have a choice: sleep in or go, go go. Whatever you select, be sure to fill your day with leisurely treats you never make the time for all year. Whip up a batch of muffins and peruse the newspaper (specifically, The Abington Journal you were too busy to pore over on Wednesday). Harvest herbs from your garden for sachets to pack away with your summer clothes. Herbs commonly used for sachets are lavender, mint, rosemary, lemon balm, lilac, roses, scented geraniums and thyme. You may have one or more in your garden, but if not, pay a visit to Greystone Gardens, 829 Old State Road, Clarks Summit, to see what's available this time of year.

2. Are you sufficiently amused?

If not, there is always the prospect of one final trip to an amusement park.

Admission and parking are free at Knoebel's Amusement Resort, 391 Knoebel's Boulevard, Elysburg, so you can choose your thrill, one ride at a time. The park is open daily until Labor Day, Sat. and Sun. through Sept. 23 with special events planned through Halloween. Call 800.487.4386 for more information or visit knoebels.com. Hershey Park, W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, offers a variety of ticket options including a one- day pass and you can ride all of the rides. Call 1-800-HERSHEY or [email protected] for details.

3. If you find you're feeling dizzy thinking about rollercoasters, there are options.

Visit Claws "N" Paws Wild Animal Park, 1475 Ledgedale Rd., Lake Ariel, open May 1 through mid-October, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, or The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, 60 Morgan Road, Binghamton, N.Y., 607. 724.5461, open daily April through Nov., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last ticket sold at 4 p.m. Rossparkzoo.com.

4. Spend time on games of old.

The Sand Bar at Damenti's Restaurant, 1307 South Mountain Blvd, Mountain Top offers "Horse Balls," a combination of horseshoes and bocce; a moving golf sculpture that will hit a ball at a target, two-sided Liars darts and a variety of other vintage games. For additional details, visit damentis.com or call 570.788.2004.

5. For those with baseball fever, who struck out because they missed Christy Mathewson Days in Factoryville, take heart.

Mark your calendar for next August now. But until then, visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, N.Y., open daily, year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed only Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Call 888.425.5633 or visit baseballhall.org for more information.