There’s something about fall in Traverse City that feels like a deep breath after a long sprint.
The air turns crisper. The sun sits a little lower in the sky, casting that golden light you only get this time of year. The trees trade in their greens for bursts of red, orange, and yellow — like they’re showing off before winter sets in.
The tourists have mostly gone home. You can actually get into restaurants again without standing in line for half an hour. The traffic moves a little easier. Parking downtown isn’t a competitive sport anymore.
Out on the bay, the water is still surprisingly warm. You can sneak in one last paddle or boat ride before it’s too cold to dip a toe. Everything just… slows down.
Summer’s stress — the crowds, the noise, the “go-go-go” — finally lifts. What’s left is a quieter, easier Traverse City. The one locals look forward to all year.
It’s the season of flannel shirts, cider mills, and evening fires. The season when the sunsets somehow get prettier, the air smells like leaves, and you remember why you live here.
Life slows down — and that’s just fine with me.