Each year, when October rolls around, Tybee transforms into a much different place than it was, only two short months ago.

It returns to a quaint, quiet small town that just happens to have a beach. US #80 is no longer a nine mile, two lane parking lot.

We can go grocery shopping whenever we want, not having to limit running to the Tybee Market IGA to non-weekend days. We can allow our children to bicycle and skateboard anywhere on the island again.

Events that take place are packed with locals, not tourists that have come from afar to experience Tybee. Most of the events are local fundraisers supporting neighbors who need a boost, schools, churches, or other worthy causes that hit close to home.

Visiting restaurants and bars no longer require waiting lists. It’s more like a homecoming when entering now. Hugs and greetings are exchanged as if we haven’t seen anyone in a year. Time is spent laughing and fun conversation as everyone cheers on their favorite teams as every television on the place is tuned to a different game.

Personnel changes at most establishments, as the summer help returns to school, moves away or onto the next stop in their vagabond lives. Seasoned bartenders and servers resume at their regular posts, maybe a few changes in schedules as everyone adjusts to the new normal…whatever that is. Everyone is hoping to have squirreled away enough tips to make it through the off season months.

Leases expired and apartment dwellers trade places, borrowing trucks, trailers and anyone willing to lend a hand to swap furniture from one place to another.

Summer flings have worn off as casual daters do-si-do, switch partners and move onto the next season with a hopeful new companion.

Since Tybee is incorporated as a City, it has its own government and police force. Elections, debates, polls and petitions on hot local issues take the stage at City Hall. Locals come out in droves to voice their opinions, shake their fists and give a piece of their mind, letting everyone know how it’s supposed to be. Issues range from whether to build and maintain a community swimming pool, allow dogs on the beach, raise tourist taxes, ban public drinking, do away with plastic bags…you name it there is a side to take on every issue and each of the three thousand people living here have an opinion on most every agenda item. The island is dotted with colorful signs supporting candidates and issues to sway those undecided.

The beaches are quiet and for the most part unlittered. Given the exception of old debris washing up to shore. Morning walks can happen without seeing another soul. The foliage changes, but in a quiet subtle way. The seagrass is tall and amber with its head bowing to the ocean. Plants that produce little bits of evil that get stuck in bare feet (sand spurs) have gone to seed so more care must be taken when beachcombing.

Shortened days are more noticeable as the sun casts long golden shadows before tucking into the horizon, changing the sky to a soft pastel painting that can never be captured in a photograph half as magnificent as it really is.

Cooler mornings are discussed amongst neighbors either embracing or cursing the fact they had to put on a long sleeved shirt or find a pair of socks…at least until noon when the temperature still reaches into the eighties and you can’t find a sleeveless tank top fast enough.

We might not get the traditional changing of the seasons like we did up north, but fall has definitely arrived on Tybee and this island girl thinks it is still beautiful as we get back to local living in this amazing little community.