Last weekend we headed south to the Kansas City area traveling through southern Minnesota, Iowa, and northern Missouri. The occasion was a special one – my brother’s wedding (congrats to him and his lovely bride!). Fall colors had peaked already in Minnesota, but by heading south to warmer climates we were able to enjoy more of those rich colors in the landscape. This scene in central Iowa caught my eye. Not only was the fence post and its decorative saw blade unique, but the white of the post and the red of the gate seemed to contrast and compliment the green pasture and the golden fall colors on the distant hills. Fall is soon to be a memory in Minnesota, but it was wonderful to enjoy the season in other states, and it was a perfect weekend to celebrate family and love.
fall
A crisp and brilliant autumn day
When autumn is as brilliant as it’s been this year, we want it to continue. A crisp but not cold day, blue sky with some clouds, the changing colors with their deep hues, and a country road that winds through the woods with leaves crinkling under the tires and the deeper smell of fall in the air – the very best way to soak up a prime day of this most beautiful season.
A brilliant fall evening
I sat on the opposite side of the lake watching the shoreline come alive in the sunshine. The clouds had lingered throughout the day, but an hour before sunset they parted giving the light a truly golden color. And as the clouds parted, the lake calmed to a sheet of glass; everything on the shoreline was reflected in the mirror-like water. It was a magical few minutes, long enough to absorb the colors of a brilliant fall evening and to wish the season would linger much longer before we head into winter.
R and R at the lake
This was a weekend of rest and relaxation at the lake. I’m fortunate to have a group of friends that find camaraderie and restoration together at one woman’s cabin near Alexandria. The beer was cold, the food was great, and the conversation flowed easily. It was a time for all of us to unwind, share the events of our lives, and reconnect since our last time together. Even better was the fact that our weather was warm and clear – unusual for this time in November. Friday evening I found myself drawn to the lake. There was no wind, the sun was slowly sinking into the western sky, and a beautiful wisp of clouds was reflected in the glass-like surface of the lake. The water was so clear I could see the rocks below the surface at my feet. All was silent, and all was right with this natural world. As I marveled at the beauty and gave thanks for my friends and my life right now, a loon gave out its characteristic cry in the middle of the lake. It seemed to be a reminder that nature can always be a place for us to recharge, refresh, and find a restorative place amidst all the outside influences that work to distract us and try to wear us down.
Surrounded by gold
In this morning’s bright light, I stood under our magnolia tree to take in the colors, smells, and sounds. The leaves have turned a beautiful shade of gold, mixed in with some rusts and browns. The tree and the ground below it have that distinct smell of fall – old, musty, and dry. And as I photographed, the leaves were coming down all around me. The wind would rise, a rustle would develop, and I could hear the sound of leaves floating in the air, touching other leaves as they made their way to the ground. By the end of the day the area under the magnolia was a sea of leaves, yet there are still some holding tight until the next windy day.
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