All the Leaves are Brown…
October already! I feel like the year just flew by. I think about all the great roadtrips Steve and I took this summer, and it seems like they occurred years ago, rather than just a few months.
For the most part, there aren’t any pretty colored leaves left. Sometimes I come across a tree that still has orange or yellow leaves on it, and while walking at Creamers Field the other day, I actually found a few trees deep in the boreal forest that still had green leaves on them. But most of the trees are either bare now, or have dry and crinkly brown leaves hanging on until the next wind comes and snatches them off.
We still don’t have snow. I’m not complaining. I know it’s only a matter of days before it comes - and it stays. Our overnight lows have been on the chilly side (20s), and the air smells like snow even during the day when it warms up. The past few days it’s actually warmed up into the 40s, which is nice. And we’ve had sunshine too. I wouldn’t complain if this continues for a few more weeks, but I know that’s wishful thinking on my part.
We’re down to less than 11 hours of day, although visible light is still over 12. The northern lights have made an appearance, but I’ve missed them. A few nights ago, we had partly cloudy skies, but the moon was shining brightly, so I set up my camera for some shots. I didn’t get anything spectacular, but when I downloaded the photos, I noticed a very bright light just below the moon. I wasn’t sure if it was a star or a planet, but a few of my more knowledgeable friends confirmed that it was the planet Jupiter. They also gave me the links to several web sites that would help me identify these lights in the night sky. My favorite is this one: http://www.earthsky.org/tonighthome/2009-10-05/url
I couldn’t resist a photograph of the Big Dipper too. I love how it stands out so clearly against the dark sky:
Yesterday, I had errands to run, and decided to walk the Boreal Forest Trail at Creamers Field. I had Sedona with me, and wasn’t alone on the trail. Quite a few other families had the same idea. Some had their dogs, and others had their children. I think everyone’s just trying to take advantage of the weather, and the ability to walk the trail without trudging through snow.
It was a beautiful day; a little overcast, but a crisp late autumn day. The air was chilly enough to warrant a fleece jacket, but not so cold that I needed gloves or a hat. We walked the entire loop at a quick pace, stopping here and there so I could take photos. As we were leaving, I noticed a dozen or so geese hanging around in the front field. I guess they’re staying until the snow flies.
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We finalized our trip plans for our birthday getaway in December. We decided to change things slightly and spend the last two days of our vacation in Las Vegas, rather than only the final day before flying home. I booked us a room at the Bellagio, and I’m quite excited about seeing the “dancing” fountains, the botanical gardens, and the Chihuly glass in the lobby.
I was hoping to see “O”/Cirque du Soleil while in town, but as luck would have it, there are no performances on either day. Steve wants to attend the NFR (National Finals Rodeo), which happens to be in Vegas that week. We’ll have to see how things go. Whether we go to a show or not, I’m sure we’ll enjoy our stay.
I think we’re both looking forward to the rest of the trip: exploring Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park - even more. We rented a jeep so we won’t have any problems driving on dirt or gravel roads. I can’t wait to photograph the natural beauty, while savoring the winter solitude. This trip will give us the best of both worlds, and experiencing it with Steve will make it even more special. I love traveling with my husband!
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On the 7th, my baby will turn 26! I can’t believe it’s been 26 years since Brandon came into the world. No matter how old he gets, he will always be my ‘baby’. I talked to him for a long time today. He’s doing very well in school and should have his Associates degree in Business Management by December. He calls this his ‘fall back degree’, but hopes to continue his education and major in psychology. His ultimate goal (at this time) is to someday be a teen counselor. I think he’d make a darn good one. I’m so proud of him, and all that he’s accomplished. (Happy Birthday, BooBooLa! I love you! xoxoxox)
Until next time….
