Anyone else's road basically go dark after Labor Day?

Not sure how to put this but I noticed it again this week. Drive home in the evening and it's like 2 porch lights on my whole road. Summer it was boats in driveways, people on decks, somebody's music going till 10. Now it's just me, one guy down the hill, and a lot of dark windows.

I went digging and found an old reddit thread where somebody said around 75% of the houses on their road at the lake are seasonal owners. Honestly that sounds about right for mine too. Haven't actually counted.

So for the year-rounders, how does it feel for you out here in the off season? Do you know who's keeping an eye on the empty places, or is it just whoever happens to notice? I've been watching a couple of the houses near me but I don't even have those owners' numbers. Probably should fix that.

Also what do you miss most about summer? For me it's the noise and the traffic of people, which I never thought I'd say. Meanwhile I fired up the smoker Sunday and nobody around to smell it, which is a waste of a good brisket.

Mine's about the same, maybe 60/40 but after Labor Day it feels like 90. The only real sign of life on the road is whoever's got a truck in the driveway.

Honestly the best fix is what you said. Get the numbers. I knocked on a few doors in spring and swapped digits, and most of the second-home folks were glad somebody was looking. A couple already have a guy who checks on the place, so text first before you call anybody over a strange truck in the drive. Learned that one the awkward way.

What I miss is the places staying open. Hours get cut everywhere once the boats come out, and I'm always checking who's still doing dinner past October. Not gonna lie, the quiet is nice for storm watching though.

Next time you fire up the smoker, put a post up. I'll come smell it.