Late August also has it's drawbacks: the end of summer threat, the return of stink bugs, and the inevitable hurricane.
My family reunion was in the Outer Banks this year, and although we had to evacuate the island early, the week of early morning walks on the beach, rice breakfasts, constant sand in my hair, bathing suit uniforms and sounds of family laughing, singing karaoke, and playing mahjong are the most vivid memories in my mind...