Summer, though still not over, took a nose-dive into fall, at least weatherwise.

A reminder of what is ahead, and if the weather was not enough, football took over, to some extent, from politics. A sure sign of fall in the air.

Speaking of pushing politics out of the way somewhat, how about the Olympics? A welcome respite from the constant analysis paralysis of what candidate said what, and which surrogate did or said what about what the candidate said or did. Entertaining is what I would call the goings-on in Rio, especially the actual sporting events themselves.

Sure, we had controversy. Many of the Russian athletes were banned because of past drug use, or at least alleged use. And good old Lochte shot himself and his buddies in their swimmer feet, after a night of acting out as the ugly Americans. But you cannot overlook the pure entertainment swimmers like Lochte, Katie Ledecky and others, men and women, provided. Once again the American women were outstanding in gymnastics with Simone Biles leading the way.

On the track and in the field, we had superlative performances by Bolt of Jamaica, three-time winner of the 100, 200 and men’s relay 4X100. And the American women’s relay team was outstanding. Most interesting to me was that a Central Oregonian, one Ashton Eaton, not only won that spectacular 10 event marvel, the decathlon, for the second straight time, but did it in Olympic record-tying time. And his wife Brianne Theisen-Eaton took the bronze for Canada in the pentathlon.

Michael Phelps won again in several swimming events and became the most decorated (with Olympic medals) person in history. That was THE big story of the Olympics. But to me, because I am a lifetime Oregonian, and have lived most of my life in Central Oregon, and, yes, a graduate of U of O like Eaton, his extraordinary feat of winning the decathlon again was the REALLY BIG story. How proud are the Mountain View Cougars of their very distinguished alumnus? And not just them, but all of us here in La Pine, Bend and all of Oregon.

Now the games are over, football has taken the sports front-page stage and politics are heating up as we head for the November showdown in not only the presidential race, but in many other important races as well. I must admit I am very interested in those races, but I suspect I will not enjoy the entertainment factor they provide nearly as much as I enjoyed those other races in Rio.

Be of good cheer, folks; Nov. 8 is not that far away. Be sure you are registered; be sure you vote. And in the meantime, enjoy the rest of summer; enjoy the wonders our beautiful part of the state has to offer. Go Ducks and Beavers, go Lava Bears, Storm, Cougars, Ravens and Panthers, White Buffalo and Outlaws, Cowboys and Bulldogs.

— Miles Hutchins is a retired Redmond resident who grew up in Central Oregon. Contact him at milesredmond@gmail.com.