I have no problem when the snowbirds, or “seasonal residents” as they are more PC known, arrive. One trick is to eat at really lousy restaurants. Sure there’s a crowd, but it’s not that bad. :
: And there is an abundance of bad places, both on and off campus. You want Country Club dining, try Havana. There’s never a line nor will you ever get a snooty or inattentive waiter. You might want to bundle up on colder evenings, but the view can be breathtaking. :2cool:
Tired of the crowds on the squares when Rocky or another popular group is playing? I’ve found if you arrive any time after 9:15 or so, you can park just about anywhere you like. And there’s all the room you want on the dance floor.
And it is much quieter.
Getting a tee time is difficult if you insist on playing a specific course during a real tight window. That’s understandable if you unrealistically expect to play in daylight on an actual golf course. I’ve found that even the best courses in the community are just about empty after 7:00 PM during the winter. You can almost walk right on. And if you have this thing about daylight, just be a bit creative. Sure the recognized courses are crowded, but look at those wildlife preserves. Hate doglegs? No problem, you create your own holes. And what practice playing from the rough! And you don’t get any of those pesky points. :cop: (Beware of gators. They have no sense of humor, but will let you play thru.)
Some people complain that even the churches get packed during snowbird season. I find that preposterous. I get out every morning at sunrise, go to the grove, and worship the Horned God and there’s never anyone around but me (and some squirrels, feral cats, and sand hill cranes). No parking problems and I can go straight from there to Cracker Barrel when they open for a big breakfast. There is a bit of a crowd at Winter Solstice and I expect many more worshippers this Friday for Imbolc. (We may sacrifice a virgin, if we can find one. :yikes
So, all in all, snowbird season isn’t really that bad if you’re flexible and plan ahead.