It’s Labor Day, the traditional end of summer. The end of long, lazy days at the beach. The end of reading a great book by the pool with a nice cool drink by your side. Summer babies tend to mourn Labor Day, but for many of us (especially those who live at the beach) there are some things to celebrate.

The end of crowded restaurants. The end of paying to park everywhere. The end of another tourist season. As the hot summer days get replaced by the crisp autumn ones, a lot of folks go back home, leaving our home to those of us who get to appreciate it all year long!

And as for parks, the fun is just beginning in the fall! Now is the best time to go hiking or biking in a state park. There’s much less chance of succumbing to the heat, and much less crowds on the trails. And of course, much less bugs! That alone is a reason to celebrate fall for me. (My blood is apparently made of mosquito aphrodisiac.)

This is also a great time to go on a pontoon boat tour of the inland bays. You’ll get to see some great birding, and you’ll learn about what is going on in the bays. It’s fascinating, and well worth the trip.

There’s another Fort Miles event happening in September, and included in that is another Canteen Dance! Get your tickets today for Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.

As you start to clear out the summer clutter and wish to do some redecorating in your home, I suggest you shop at the Indian River Lifesaving Station gift shop. It’s a nautical themed gift shop featuring all kinds of décor ideas, and with the fall comes "after summer specials."

It’s also the beginning of the shoulder season rates on our cottages at Indian River. Call now for any last minute weekends that might be available.

And of course, fishing. The best fishing happens in the fall. Surf fishing or fishing off a head boat or charter boat, whatever your fishing fancy, we can serve you at Delaware State Parks. Call 302-227-3071 for more information on head boats and charter boats, or visit any state park office for surf fishing info.

Well, I hope to see you all at a Delaware State Park this fall! And put on a sweater. It’s getting cool out there!