It’s Coming
“It’s coming,” Michiganders say as they scrunch their face and chuckle. The end of July signifies the countdown to the end of summer here in Michigan. This one was short, too. We were wearing sweaters at the end of June. This morning I wore a light jacket to walk Ashok. It’s coming. You can bet your bottom dollar on it.
Fall happens to be my favorite season here, so it’s not all dread. And I have taken a liking to the short days and cozy nights of winter. But having the freedom to walk out my door without bundling up and showing some skin to the sunlight is a pleasure that has become rare indeed.
The tourist season in Saint Joseph lasts basically from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The weekend after Labor Day last year I was sitting out on my favorite beach bench with my coffee, and a cyclist rode by. “The tourists are gone!” he exclaimed happily. We have this beautiful place to ourselves from September to the end of May. Some days it’s not very enjoyable but for most days Saint Joseph is a fabulously quaint and deliciously friendly place to be.
Many of the shops will start closing up around October and almost all will be closed in January and February. A lot of my friends will head to Florida or New Orleans for warmer temps. A fair number of restaurants close for the winter, too. I’ve heard some locals complain that there is nothing to do here in the winter, but I’ve never found it lacking. I think winter hiking is the best, and my favorite haunts are still open with the exception of the Bit of Swiss Bakery. My waistline could actually could use a break from that anyway.
The seasonal nature of the place makes me happier. I appreciate things that aren’t around all the time. The weather and the town is always changing, and it encourages me to get out and enjoy it NOW. This week has been gorgeous with highs in the 70s and lows in the 60s. Any time I think of sitting home and surfing the internet, I tell myself, “It’s coming.” That closing window forces me to get some sand between my toes. There will be time for internet surfing in January. Right now, it’s Prime Time in Southwest Michigan. I’d better get out and enjoy it. It’s Coming.
8 Comments on “It’s Coming”
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It is coming and I will miss it myself. I always looked forward to the first snowfall and hoped for snow at Christmas.
Well you can always come visit!
Love this, AND it makes me want to move to Michigan!!
Come on! We need L & D people up here!
For real?
I thought I replied to this! Not hiring at the moment but it was tough to find my last hire. If you’d be interested in future things let me know. You never know when something will come open.
I’m from Maine and people grumble about the tourists all summer all the while keeping their cash draws open. I think black Friday happens in August for many Maine retailers.
I’m near Boston now and Summer lasts into September for me, at least weather wise. As long as there are tomatoes in the garden, it’s still summer to me. Sometimes I can make that last well into October.
Summer is a state of mind!
Enjoy the rest of your summer,
Andy
I love the tomato analogy! If that’s so, summer is just starting here! Let’s hope they are around a long time after their late arrival.