Winter in Utah County hits hard and often overstays its welcome. The cold settles in, clinging to the valley floor, and the mountains—majestic in summer—become an impassable wall of snow and ice. Even on bright days, the air is sometimes thick with inversion, locking in a gray chill that lingers for weeks, causing the bad cough mentioned above.

Around January, I start dreaming of warmth.

Of stepping off a plane into air that feels too thick

Of walking barefoot in the sand while the last light of day stretches long across the water.

But the places that offer such relief aren’t just a quick drive away. To escape winter’s grip, I need to go where the sun never takes a season off.

The Endless Pursuit of Endless Summer

A fascinating contradiction exists in our planet’s seasonal rhythms: the northern hemisphere experiences its hottest months when Earth is farthest from the Sun. This runs counter to the intuitive idea that proximity to our star determines temperature. In reality, Earth’s elliptical orbit only varies its distance from the Sun by about 3%—not nearly enough to drive significant climate shifts. Instead, the dominant factor shaping our seasons is Earth’s axial tilt of 23.5 degrees.

Because of this tilt, the Sun’s rays strike different parts of the planet at varying angles throughout the year. During the northern hemisphere’s summer, sunlight arrives more directly and for longer periods each day. Conversely, in winter, the Sun’s rays hit at a lower angle, spreading the same energy over a larger surface area, making it less intense. This is why regions near the poles experience extreme seasonal swings, while those near the equator remain relatively consistent year-round.

Where on Earth Is Summer Endless?

Some places come remarkably close to experiencing an endless summer, where temperatures remain warm year-round with little seasonal variation. These include Honolulu, Hawaii—a true paradise with warm temperatures, ocean breezes, and only slight seasonal shifts; The Maldives, a dreamscape of sun-soaked beaches and crystal waters; and Mesa, Arizona, a desert retreat where the sun dominates year-round and extended family always welcomes us away from the snow.

Temple Beach (16×16, sold)

I’ve been to Honolulu and The Maldives, where endless summer feels almost tangible. Mesa, though landlocked, offers the same promise of warmth, blue skies, and familiar company. The pursuit of sun and light, however, comes at a cost—traveling to these places takes time, and the moment always seems fleeting. A sunset over the ocean, soft hues reflecting in the clouds, feels both infinite and transient. I captured one such moment in a painting, a personal tribute to places where warmth lingers long after the day ends.

Facing the “Sun,” Facing the “Son”

There’s an old saying: no man sees his shadow who faces the sun. When we turn toward light, darkness naturally falls behind us. This isn’t just a truth about physics—it’s a way of seeing the world. Focusing on warmth, hope, and beauty keeps our fears and failures from dominating our perspective.

The same principle holds in faith. When we turn toward the Son, toward Jesus Christ, we don’t escape hardship, but it no longer consumes our vision. His light helps us see more clearly—not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going. It reshapes how we respond to discouragement, how we show up in relationships, and how we find peace in the middle of pressure. His light shifts our perspective, filling even the coldest seasons with warmth. The pursuit of Christ, like the pursuit of summer, isn’t about a temporary escape—it’s about finding a steady, unshakable source of renewal and peace.

A Brief Note on Planets

The idea of an endless summer might not be confined to Earth. If axial tilt matters more than distance, then habitable conditions could exist in places we least expect. Mars has seasons due to its 25.2-degree tilt but lacks a thick atmosphere to trap heat. Venus, though much too hot today, might have once been more temperate. The first exoplanet was identified in 1992, and since then, astronomers have cataloged over 5,000, some of which may have stable, mild climates. Some exoplanets, tidally locked to their stars, might have permanent twilight zones with temperatures that remain within a habitable range.

Perhaps the real endless summer isn’t just a place but a longing—a desire for warmth, light, and the reassurance that the sun will always rise again.

Chasing the Sun

The dream of endless summer is as much a feeling as it is a physical reality.

It’s found in the warmth of familiar places, the glow of a painted sunset, and the knowledge that somewhere, right now, the sun is still shining on another endless shore.

But perhaps the deeper lesson is in what we choose to face.

The warmth we seek, the light we long for—it’s already there. The real journey isn’t about escaping to distant shores but learning to embrace the light wherever we are.

Whether to the “sun” or the “Son,” take a look. That very act will transform what you see.