begin...begin again: off-season at the beach

Just when autumn starts to nudge summer out of the way, our family packs up for the beach. After a couple of days of cool wet weather that has us thinking fondly of heavy sweaters and fashionable boots, I have to think about replenishing the supply of sunscreen and freshening up the beach towels.

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Going to the beach during off-season has its advantages, of course. The prices are lower. The traffic is lighter. The beach is empty which is a good thing for us because we'll have dogs with us.

There's no waiting to get into the restaurants, and sunburn isn't such a problem.

There are trade offs, however. The days are already getting shorter so it's hard to fit in those after-dinner walks along the water. The shops close early. In fact, by the time we arrive, some of them have already closed up for the season. Plus, some people simply can't make the trip in September because they teach. So, it can feel a little lonely down there.

This is a nice change of pace for vacationers who, like my husband, spend all day, every day working with people--patients, colleagues, and administrators. He likes nothing better than to sit on the beach and read all day, and I can't say I blame him. He enjoys the solitude.

I, on the other hand, spend almost all day, every day by myself. At home. Playing with words. Exchanging tidbits of news with the dust bunnies. After a while it can get lonely, so the traffic jam on the bridge to the Outer Banks feels like party time to me.

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When the shops and restaurants are crowded with children and (forgive me for saying this...) teenagers, I want to be part of it. Dodging frisbees and wayward kites on the beach is great fun, too.

What about you? What is your idea of a perfect vacation? Are you an in-season or off-season person? Why?