esrosedotblog

THIS IS THE WEEK

'They' have left or are leaving.

Fortunately, while 'they' were here they left a lot of money in the economy, so now, we can bid them a hearty farewell.

I am referring, of course, to the snow birds who populate our town for the winter; November to May.

We can see the evidence; less traffic, more parking spots, silent condo units. There are some condo blocks here that are all itinerants. Last night, Franklin and I walked through a few of them and they are soul-less. You can feel it.

The first big wave is the Canadians. To keep their socialized medicine rights they have to be home for at least 6 months.

The next bunch are the ones from Seattle and Portland; the greater Northwest. They start to leave as soon as the temperatures hit 90 (last week, today, tomorrow) and they cannot be found anywhere when the temps hit 100 (next week for sure).

The fog and rain are in their systems and they cannot handle it. Our friend Jane who lives at the very end of our drive will be out of here and back in the rain forest next week.

There are other sundry migrants. There are people who work here 6 months and Provincetown or some other eastern resort 6 months. Now is their time to switch. A neighbor up the street falls into that category. Two other friends will make the drive back for the last time. They are getting 'too old' for it.

Others just have itchy feet I guess.

All of that adds up to a wonderful period for those of us who stay here; the confirmed desert rats who like the 90s and the 100s even more and yearn for a new record heat this year; 127 anyone?

When it is hot like that there is no problem finding a parking spot under a tree.

The irony of it.

All these people come to the desert at just the time to be crowded up together. Then they leave at some of the best weather we will see in the valley and not come back until at least 6 weeks of wonderful autumn air have been wafting over us.