Written by Susan Miesch, Feature Photo by Nikki Schroeder.
shoul·der sea·son
noun
plural noun: shoulder seasons
1. a travel period between peak and off-peak seasons.
Ahhhhhhh…..Let’s talk about this for a minute shall we? Or perhaps I will just type onto my word document and you can just read away.
The Seasons of Hospitality
The “peak season”, or “busy season”, or the “have to catch my breath” season is now behind us, fall is in the air and the ferry system is slowly decreasing trips to and from the island. This means it is time for the island life to take a step back, put on the parkas or layer up and discover the island WE live on. Now don’t get me wrong, we don’t roll up the welcome mat by any stretch, we are always looking for new faces walking around town or the brave cyclists with their winter woolies tucked here and there. In fact, we encourage mainlanders to hit the island any time. You do know that the weather here is much fairer than the mainland and what you see on the 6 o’clock news does not necessarily depict what we are experiencing here. Okay, you get my drift.
Being in the hospitality industry at a destination location is very much a different lifestyle during the various seasons. I am typing this blog during the shoulder season, I have my feet up on a chair, computer on my lap, fresh homemade cookies cooling off beside me and a cup of steaming lavender hot chocolate at my fingertips. Life is good! Of course, it is always good, just very different. Funny how you walk down the street and find yourself greeting your friends and family more often and inhaling the fresh crisp clean air that constantly surrounds you when outside. Did I mention the noise? Right, because there hardly is any. What a life!
What are you Waiting for?
So, I bet these words if read from afar will be lingering in your mind with the question, “WOW! This place totally sounds peaceful.” Did I mention, no traffic lights, no loud noises, no line ups to the two-screen movie theater. I just did. This my friend is all true.
Really now, sit back and look at that upcoming calendar of yours. See if you would be able to experience this anomaly. Check your dates and times of departure, pull up the Washington State Ferry schedule and see if a time works out for you. Drive on the ferry or even walk on, you really don’t need a vehicle for a short visit to basically another world. Remember this, even if it’s our shoulder or off-season, we will always welcome you with open arms. We will help you with directions and give you advice on what to do. Plus, we have so much time we may even join you for a quick brew at the brewery before we send you on your way. Don’t worry, you’re not a bother, we are learning from your stories too, solidifying why we live here and love it.
Happy trails and happy fall and winter seasons. Hope to see you around in the near future.
-Susan
