Ahhhh. Friday was a lovely spring-like day here in the Valley of the Sun – exactly the kind of day and the reason why folks are drawn to thaw out here during the winter season. Whereas in the northern climes people are staring at snowdrifts and shoveled-out walkways and driveways, patiently waiting for the January thaw to ease their cabin fever, here you can relax outside and sip on a boat drink while watching the leaves on the trees turn brown and fall after the recent hard freeze.

I think this is the kind of weather the late Carl Wilson had in mind when he wrote the song “Goin’ South”, one of my favorite cuts on The Beach Boys’ 1979 album “L.A. (Light Album)”:

I think of goin’ south for the winter
It’s getting mighty cold
I watch the fire glow
The moon shining ‘cross the snow
Maybe Florida or Mexico
Is where I oughta go

Somewhere where everything is green
Oo the change of scene
Might do a me good
When the swallows go
When they leave Capistrano
Fly away so gracefully
Maybe that’s for me

Snowdrifts blowing up against my door
Going clear up to the roof
I could be lying on some sun-washed shore
Truth is, don’t know what I’m waiting for

Think I’m goin’ south for the winter
It’s getting mighty cold
I watch the fire glow
The moon shinin’ ‘cross the snow
Maybe Florida or Mexico
Is where I oughta go

South of the border
Think I’m goin’ south
Get my life in order
Think I’m goin’ south for the winter
It’s gettin’ mighty cold

Of course, the whole idea that simply by “goin’ south” anyone would or could somehow and miraculously be able to “get their lives in order” is a crock – people have a marvelous ability to drag their baggage along with them no matter where they go (I’d be the first one to testify to that), but on a freezing cold January day up north, it must be a nice thought.