Closing Down for the Summer

"When did that happen?", I asked my husband on our walk yesterday.  The Dairy Queen in downtown South Haven was closed.  It was Monday afternoon, and the lack of light on the "Open" sign could only mean one thing:  the end of summer.  The city would, once again, belong to its residents.

If you live in a tourist town with destinations such as our beaches of Lake Michigan, then you know what I'm talking about when I say there's a joy that accompanies the sadness of summer's goodbye.  We exchange flip-flops for warm cozy slippers, breezy open windows for fireplaces, and baseball for football, but there's nothing like the change we feel on the beaches and in town as they become our own.

During the height of summer, it's exciting to see the oceans of brightly colored umbrellas along the great lake's shoreline, with beautiful golden sand showing through here and there.  But now, the scene is  different.  The sand, with the sun at such a low angle, has a cooler hue to it.  If you do see an umbrella, it gives a sense of loneliness.  To sit in its shade, you have to park yourself quite a distance away from its pole (unlike the mid-summer protection it gives from straight above), but that's okay.  Sitting alone on the beach may seem lonely, and to some extent, it is, but it is so peaceful.  Without sensory overload, the brain can take its time studying the movement of the waves, clouds, and seagulls, while the nose just smells the air and water, rather than lotions, food, and sweat.

In town, the anticipation of tourists buying lots of my cards and pictures is always a thrill for me.  It is a pleasure to see so many people from all over the world filling our shops and restaurants.  The owners of these businesses have reported an especially profitable season, and I'm happy for them.  What a blessing!

Now, with tourism almost to a halt, the rewards for staying here, supporting our town through the winter, are beginning.  These perks come, mostly, in the form of food, and that's all right with me!  From giant spaghetti meals for just $4.99 to half-off pizzas, a South Haven resident (and winter tourists) can eat out every night for way less than the cost of groceries.  By bundling up and walking to dinner, we're able to get our exercise, too!


In closing, I bid South Haven's summer season, "Farewell", and may the lovely souls who visited our dear city be blessed until we meet again.  I will miss the excitement that is evident on their faces every time they come to town, but there's something to be said for peace and quiet...
The photo above, "Closing Down for the Summer" was taken just a few days ago, at sunset.