It’s labor day weekend. The final hurrah of summer for most of the country. Our island has slowed down in the last week. There was threat of Tropical storm Erika visiting us. Even though her travel plans changed, many tourists diverted their plans too. Cancelling reservations on what turned out to be a fantastic sunny week on Tybee. Perfect for beach going, kayaking, biking and all around great vacation weather.
This weekend will be the last busy weekend until the annual Tybee Pirate Fest which will be October 8-11. Hundreds of Pirate’s will descend upon Tybee to parade around and wreak a little havoc, mainly on the south end of the island. If you’ve thought about visiting Tybee and want to come during a crazy fun weekend filled with Pirate’s, music food and fun, that would be the weekend to come.
However, if you like having a quiet beach all to yourself, warm water and plenty of sunshine…then you should come between September and November. You can enjoy all of these benefits and more during your stay. There are plenty discounts and special offers that you can take advantage of too.
The nightlife changes a bit, as the crowd shifts to mainly a local gathering. Live music still fills the air and ensures a fun time for everyone.
Locals love fall, as we get a chance to reconnect with our friends and neighbors, catching up with each other’s lives. We can visit our favorite restaurants without waiting in line. The temporary summer wait staff at most places have returned to their colleges or full time lives. And everyone knows your name again.
Football season has also started and that’s a big deal here. Everyone gathers in the local bars for games instead of watching in their homes. I’ve never been big into football but I kinda feel like I need to at least pick a team so I can stay engaged during the games. I’ll let you know how that goes for me this year. I am currently taking team suggestions, tell me why I should care about your team.
Changing seasons in the South is different than the north. Most of the leaves don’t change colors, but there are other changes that occur in coastal plant life. The most noticeable is the bright green marsh grasses change to dark brown.
My favorite island change is when the temperature drops just enough that everyone turns off their air conditioning units (but before turning on the heat) and opens their windows. Living a hundred and fifty yards from the ocean, I hear the unfiltered sound of waves crashing on the shore. The rhythmic, hypnotic pattern that lulls me into a peaceful sleep. Something I had never experienced before living here. When we have a strong Southeast wind, the sound is amplified, so much that our friends that live on the opposite side of the island, by the marsh, can hear it too.
The sun sets earlier, and the light is more beautiful and golden than any other time of the year. I try to bike to the back river more often to take in the beauty of the sunset and let it keep my spirit quiet and grateful for another day of living life to the fullest.
Of course the Georgia Bulldogs is the team you should root for here on Tybee. There are a smattering of folks that pull for South Carolina, GA. Tech (North Avenue Trade School), Clemson and a rare few for Florida. If you need a reason to pull for UGA, start with the mascot, UGA, an English Bulldog that lives on Wilmington Island when not at the game. But Georgia, much to my chagrin, is somewhat of an “also ran”. The team is usually very good but will lose the games they shouldn’t. Alabama and the western SEC teams are always the favorites. Georgia with Mark Richt as coach always seems to be the “nice guy” team that never really embarrasses the lesser teams and that seems to be a downfall. The really big guys will always run up the score (check some of the scores this weekend in the SEC), but when comfortably ahead, the second/third string gets to play. this is a good thing but isn’t rewarded in the polls. So, Georgia is the team that needs a hand, needs your support. Besides, that where I graduated from many, many years ago. Their colors are red and black and will look just stunning on you, too!
Thanks for the reply Jim. Yes, the Georgia Bulldogs are my top college football choice, I almost bought a new Dawgs T-shirt yesterday. Thanks for following and commenting!