1. With the exception of the occasional hurricane, September's weather is gorgeous. Sunny skies and crisp air are the mark of the day. Yes, the weather is going to be gorgeous at the shore. But it's going to be gorgeous everywhere. On the beach. In the mountains. In the mall parking lot. You don't need sun, sand and surf to enhance your enjoyment of the day. Don't risk sensory overload. Go to the mall. 2. You've heard the rumors that, after a summer of warming trends, the water reaches its highest temperature in September. Do you believe every rumor you hear? You had plenty of time to swim in the ocean in July and August. Find some other way to have fun. Go to the mall. 3. You're going to hear about those sales. Sure things will be on sale at the shore in September but in many instances, they will be summer things. You should be stocking up for winter. Why would you want to take advantage of incredible bargains on summer items? Go to the mall. 4. You've heard that the beaches are less crowded in September. Actually, they used to be but now too many people have caught on to the joys of the shore in September. You won't want to come with the crowds. Go somewhere less crowded. Go to the mall. Okay, I can't do this anymore. I have to confess. I've been lying. The truth is, the Jersey Shore is beautiful in September. The pace is a little slower. The crowds a little sparser. The weather and water are warm. The sales are good. You should come. I cannot tell a lie. No matter how much I'd like to have the beach to myself, I have to be honest about September's glories. But it's hard. You see, I'm a little bitter about the popularity of the shore in September. There was a time I felt that I had the shore to myself after Labor Day. I remember loading up the car, driving to the shore, and renting an oceanfront house at 25% of the seasonal rate. No reservation. No planning. No more. Times have changed. We used to call September off season. Actually, there was a time when every month from September through May was off season. But now there is shoulder season -- an euphemistic and slightly more expensive interpretation of off season. People stay away in off season. "Off season? Why would I go?" Now tell the same people about shoulder season. They can't resist. "Shoulder season! What a bargain! Let's go." And they do. More and more people every year are discovering the joys of September at the beach. For years, I vacationed with the same group -- after Labor Day. We enjoyed the discounted rates, the dry weather, the occasional hurricane, and the empty beaches. Actually, for the first year or two we enjoyed the empty beaches. Then, year by year, the crowd grew. We moved from week two to week three. Then the crowd grew. We moved from week three to week four. The crowd grew. Word was out. The shore was still enjoyable weeks after school opened. I like to blame the phenomenon on three groups: 1. The organizers at the shore. Up and down the coast, towns and businesses are coming up with special events to attract visitors. Since Atlantic City first came up with the idea of the Miss America pageant to draw tourists back to their town after the summer's end, promoters have persuaded tourists to linger past what used to be considered "the season." 2. The aging population. As more and more people retire earlier and earlier, they have the time to linger at the beach. Actual season changes chase today's visitors away; they are not influenced by arbitrary dates on the calendar. We might think that summer ends at Labor Day, but nature thinks it persists until September 21. Retirees can make it last longer. 3. Telecommuters. Now that we don't have to go to the office every day we can live anywhere we want. Many of us want to live by the ocean. The beach doesn't have to be only for vacation anymore. All of these factors conspire against me. I accept that I have to share September at the shore. So, I am sharing my secret with you. But do me a favor. Keep the information to yourself. Now, let's talk about October. |
September at the Shore I know you've heard those stories about how beautiful the shore is in September. I know you've heard more than one person claim that September is their favorite month at the shore. I know you've thought about finding out for yourself what the shore is like in September. Let me give you one piece of advice. Don't. |
