And BAM! Just like that we fell into Fall. Not “almost Fall.” Not “pre-Fall.” Not “betwixt and between Fall.” “Not wannabe Fall.” We fell right smack dab into the middle of Fall! Fall, where the night temperatures up here in the Back Of the Beyond of Ferry County Washington have hit 21° F. Where the day time temperatures are in the 60’s ensuring that we have absolutely no clue how to dress in the morning. Mornings are parkas, hats and gloves while the afternoons see us stripping down to T-shirts. Fall, where the ice cold, clear night sky looks as if we have thrown bucket after bucket of sparkling, silvery crystal stars high into the heavens. Fall, where the Milky Way appears in all its stunning glory to be close enough to reach up and pluck lucky stars to put in your pocket. It’s the time in October when the Aspen leaves no longer even pretend to make Chlorophyll and give us all their golden glory atop speckled white trunks thrust high into the mountain blue of our sky. Like this……………….
Taken from the garden looking across our dirt road anthem
Mornings are full of mist rising over Curlew Lake. This is what we see every day
Bright red Wild Rose Hips line Redmond Road offering fruity gifts for the birds
After all the hustle and bustle of summer vacationers, Curlew Lake sighs and slumbers.
It’s just not Autumn unless I go out exploring to see what magical changes have happened overnight. This is the nearby Kettle River. The mirror image is just beautiful
The Kettle River looking North to British Columbia mere miles away. Canada Geese look as if they are swimming towards home!
I just never know what I’m going to find on my wanders
American Bald Eagles are quite common around here, but every single time I spot one it still makes me stop, watch and give thanks. I remember clearly when their very existence was threatened due to the pesticide DDT.
Last week when our friend Dan was here visiting Sparky and me, we visited some of the many small lakes we are blessed with here in Northeast Washington
The Cattails and Reeds swaying to the music of the breezes up at Swan Lake
The sun is lower in the sky these days casting a softer hue on the sparkling water
We hiked the mile and a half trail around Swan Lake with frequent stops to admire the views.
But nothing and I mean nothing beats the stunning vistas up on Sherman Pass! We may not have the reds and purples of the Maple trees back East but the yellows and golds of our Aspen and Western Larch juxtaposed against the dark green of Ponderosa Pine on a mountainside take my breath away.
You’ve never seen a Gold Christmas Tree before? They grow naturally up here and the hillsides are covered with them every Fall! The Western Larch is not an evergreen. Instead the trees turn Gold and the leaves fall off only to return in all their new green finery each Spring.
When it comes to tree nature, their beauty is unmatched
Thanks for stopping by today and letting me share my world with you,my friends!
Wherever you live around the globe, I hope Fall is treating you kindly and you take a moment on your journey to appreciate the beauty that nature provides.
Journey on!
Hugs and much love from me,
Karen, TJG
Please visit my website and leave me a note. I love hearing from you all.
www.thejourneygirl.com
Karen, I absolutely love these pictures. Fall is my favorite time of the year. Have you ever thought about submitting some of your photos to Birds and Bloom or any magazine that is aboutwildlife and landscapes? You have a great eye for photography as well as your wonderful writing. Keep it coming.
X0
Shar
Sharon, You are too kind! I would love to submit a story to Country Magazine or Birds and Blooms. You have inspired me. I have submitted recipes but never a story.
Hugs!