Bye Bye Summer Folks

Summer winds down, crowds disappear, and my town returns to ‘normal’

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Memorial Day to Labor Day is a special time for my town. It is a season of traffic, lengthy lines at stores, long waits for a restaurant table, and near-accidents as folks of all ages cross streets without looking for approaching cars; my car brakes get a workout.

A treasure hunt ensues when seeking a parking spot a couple of blocks from one’s destination. It is a time of hour-plus waits for take-out or delivery, no reservations at favorite eateries unless made weeks in advance, lines out the door at coffee shops from early morning until noon, and meandering queues extending along the sidewalk at ice cream parlors from early evening to midnight.

It is the season when younger generations take over the town.

I moved to my current home town when I was a youngish, new retiree. I am older now, still retired, still active (for my age, I tell folks), and love my town. But I love it more in the fall, winter, and spring, when seniors rule.

My town is not quite a large retirement community, but it comes close. Seniors rule, except during the short three-month summer season when adults, most dragging along kids of all ages, arrive. Most descend on Grandma and Grandpa’s place. As I walk along my apartment house hallway I hear TVs, crying babies, laughing teens, loud adult voices, and smell the food. What’s for dinner? Most often pizza.

I have discovered ways to avoid much of the summer hassle. I rarely drive on weekends, but if necessary go out early morning or late afternoon. I don’t wander far from my neighborhood. Within walking distance are a barber shop, nail salon, gift boutique, half a dozen restaurants, a bagel shop, coffee shop, a small grocery, the beach and Boardwalk, and the ubiquitous requirement of living for so many people in the mid-Atlantic area: a Wawa.

For those not in the know, Wawa is a convenience store chain with an extensive take-out menu, grab and go foodstuffs, all the junk food anyone can consume — ever, moderately priced coffee, dairy products and refrigerators full of (nonalcoholic) drinks, and my favorite: an ATM machine WITH NO FEES. Most Wawas include gas pumps, but not the two on my island.

Summer is winding down. Families decamp from Grandma and Grandpa’s. Snowbirds hang around until October, but after Labor Day a quieter atmosphere settles over the town. E-bikers and scooters rarely rush by either on the Boardwalk or city streets. Groups of bike riders no longer string along a couple of blocks. Cars pass cyclists, skateboarders, and joggers who actually pay attention to traffic lights and intersections.

Walkers predominate, most interested in enjoying the fresh air and moderate exercise, rather than intent on building a fine-tuned body while showing off their body-in-progress with scanty-wear. I begin to see faded vintage T-shirts advertising concert tours that occurred decades ago, restaurants and bars long closed, and companies no longer in business.

I look forward to a slower, calmer, less harried fall and winter lifestyle. Translation: when retirees reign once again.

But folks of all ages are welcome, not only in summer, but when they pop up during the rest of the year on holiday weekends, over the Christmas break, and early spring when preparations begin for another summer. Businesses thrive on the business generated by temporary residents and visitors.

When the younger generations return to their homes, jobs, and school, the town manages to survive. I am often asked by these folks, “What do you do the rest of the year?”

I smile.

They wouldn’t understand.

My town does not close up after Labor Day. We linger to say hi to locals busy with visitors over the summer. Businesses welcome full-time residents, restaurants offer reasonably priced specials, and community centers and organizations offer a full range of activities.

And we take vacation, often visiting other resort towns. We become those folks welcomed with semi-open arms. Locals smile, take our money, and look forward to the quiet season.

I understand.

Originally published at https://merylbaer.net on September 7, 2026.

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