Autumn Bliss

We have just bid farewell to a very hot and very humid summer. And, as I went about my errands last week, I noticed that the merchandise in the markets and specialty stores had quietly shifted from beach gear to wool jackets, flannel shirts and faux pumpkins. Swags of decorative synthetic fall leaves are strung up everywhere. Bags of miniature candy bars line the grocery shelves.  September's morning sky is streaked with pink as it weaves in and out of wispy clouds. We can feel the shift in the weather....we catch the subtle hint of dampness in the wee hours of the morning.  And, we want to bring out the quilts, lay a fire in the fireplace and bake cookies.

What is it about Autumn that reels us in?  Acorn fever (the love of Autumn) is stealth in its approach...but even when I am not looking for it, I know immediately when the first hint makes its presence known.  It very often times comes on the heels of my birthday in July. Just a hint... Sometimes its the way the gentle breeze switches direction. Other times, its the damp warm September dew that appears on the grass. I can't help but take a deep breath and feel myself re-center. The delicious anticipation of my favorite season sends me to the moon and back.  Autumn. When the leaves begin to change...orange, yellow and rust... and acorns begin to fall and scatter on the road.

Children are back in school and I am reminded of a line from You've Got Mail..."Don't you love New York in the Fall? It makes me want to by school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." That is so me. I did that, too, one year. I sent a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils to my husband at work. And, I was thrilled that he knew exactly what I was saying!!!

Autumn. 

Each year, in early October we return to Yosemite National Park.  We honeymooned here in 1985 ~ four nights in a cabin without a bath. We had rain, cold crisp mornings and no crowds. I think we've only missed two years since that trip. This annual trek is a magical time...days without a plan. Nights with starry skies and the sound of owls hooting in the distance.

 

Fresh air. Bike rides. Lots and lots of picture taking. Like we are seeing it for the first time...again!!!

 

 

 

 

In the evening, before dinner (and, sometimes after dinner) we sit out on the porch of our cabin to enjoy the sunset. We are in no hurry. We have a drink, kick back and rediscover what a vacation is really supposed to be. 

 

 



Autumn.

Nature is at its peek in the fall. We take pictures of fallen leaves....every one, a different specimen. Milkweed pods pop open and release their feathery seeds. They sail just above the meadows on the tiniest of breezes. 

 

 

Sometimes it takes just one leaf to start the ball rolling......

 

 

An afternoon autumn shower will find us back at the cabin...

just inside the door...listening to the rain's opus.....

 

 

A walk after the rains brings us to moss covered boulders. The cracks and crevices are highlighted by the light from the overcast sky.  

 

 

 

 

Here are some of the treasures we found on our walk.

I love the lacey leaves...

 

 

Can you feel Autumn? See it? Even in black and white, it is so pronounced!

(I was trying out my 'Ansel Adams' setting on my camera....it came out pretty good, I think!).

 

As we walked down the bike path towards the Chapel, we noticed a bit

of color peeking thru the evergreens. 

 

 Oo0oOO0ooo!

Deep breath..... I did not want to hurry ahead.

I needed to walk s-l-o-w-l-y.

...savoring each step as we got closer.

We walked around the bend....and, then, like the sun after a storm.....

 

...Autumn! 

 

It is overcast this morning....the sky is getting light....time for our morning walk. Roxie stands at the ready as I grab my phone, my keys and the lead.  And, this morning, I'm wearing my flannel shirt.

It's Autumn!!!!