Editor's Note

I've always been a warm weather girl. From the first early days of spring when everything starts blooming and you can feel the first hint of warmth in the air, on through the depths of August (there was no such thing as “too hot”), I was in my element. Shorts and flip flops, fresh vegetables, and long days. Things I most enjoy doing seemed more fun in warm weather: kayaking, fishing, crabbing, throwing a cast net, planting vegetables and flowers, having friends over for cookouts, lazy beach afternoons, and anything else I could find to keep me outside.

And then I turned 50.

I still love all those things associated with warm weather (and cooling off inside when it’s too hot), but these days when the temperatures start dropping, rather than mourn the loss of summer, I start looking forward to fall. Turns out there are a lot of things I love doing in cooler weather, too!

Some of the best fishing of the year can be had in October and November, still plenty of time for kayaking without being cooked in the process, front porch sitting is more comfortable, fires in the fire pit, and of course, oyster roasts with old friends and new. I used to dislike the shorter days, but the reality is that I’m less likely to work excessive overtime when it gets dark early, so that’s not really a bad thing either.

To help you get a jumpstart on enjoy this fall, check out our list of ideas (right).

I hope y’all enjoy this issue. We’ve gone down to our “winter weight” of 24 pages, but they’re packed full of articles for you. Enjoy!

See you out there! Amy Thurman Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Here’s a list of potential things to enjoy as the weather cools: • Fishing (of course) and take along a beginner • Oyster harvesting • Viewing the fall foliage from your kayak • Sailing (the wind will be back soon!) • Boat improvement projects (yes, some of us enjoy that) • Plant fall/winter vegetables • Yard sales – go to them, or clean out and host your own • Have a costume party for Halloween • Add a coastal dish to your Thanksgiving tradition • Host an oyster roast • Make gifts for those on your Christmas list using shells, driftwood, etc. • Build a set of cornhole boards and host a tournament • Make some time for volunteering in your community • Learn to gig flounder • Set up a native species aquarium • Hike through a WMA or nature preserve and enjoy the fall colors • Build a fire pit in your yard and enjoy cool fall evenings around it with family and friends • Learn something new – a new skill, craft, language, etc. • Slow down and make time for things you enjoy and things that matter!

Cooler fall temps make for comfortable front porch-sitting time (left) or gathering around a fire pit of an evening with friends (top). Great fall weather is on the way - make time to get out and enjoy it!