The Early Days of Color

Mighty Maple on August 25, 2012

I hinted to this in my last post, and hope to document this year's transition from summer to autumn in a series of photos, if I can remember to actually take pictures week to week! It is truly amazing how quickly I am seeing some trees begin to change colors. A week ago I spotted several areas of leaves turning yellow or orange, and now that may have spread to whole branches or even half of the tree already. Of course, peak foliage is still 5 weeks away, but by then some of these early turning trees will already be bare. Our mighty maple tree right here in our meadow has just a hint of color high, high up in the topmost branch. It is so huge that it will be a whole series of autumn colors at once because it takes so long for it to all happen. But it is absolutely gorgeous when it is that way.

The days are definitely shorter, and this morning it was only 50 out and we are about 75 right now, but that is still quite warm for this time of year. Two days ago it was nearly 90, and we still have another warm-up coming the end of the week. But the sky today is a radiant blue, the breeze is wonderful, and we shall enjoy these days to the fullest.

Another big change going on-most schools are back in session in the area. It was a crazy past weekend because it also saw the returning students to the 4 college campuses in Burlington. They're Back! The city takes on a completely different feel when it is packed with college students in these early days of the newest year. We see them wandering the streets, anxious and full of energy, and ready to take on the world. In the next few weeks the routines will resume, and it all begins to blend together and not be quite as noticeable. Plus, as the weather turns colder, they won't be a visible outdoors either. I did have a super Monday morning in the store talking to a wonderful woman about her 50th wedding anniversary, her oil lamp they've had for 25 years, and many other things. Turns out, she is Senator Patrick Leahy's wife, and the sweetest lady ever. It was quite enjoyable.

Now, once I get my photos uploaded, I will insert this weeks' photo of our Mighty Maple Tree!

15 States in 14 Days!

We had a wonderful, two week vacation! And, yes, we really did hit 15 states during that time. It started with the journey south to Maryland, and a super baby shower for our daughter who is due in just over 2 weeks now. It was great spending (a much too short amount of) time there seeing both girls and the two granddaughters. Our grandson is due any time now, and then we have another granddaughter due around Christmas. I am so excited to go back down there in 6 weeks to meet the new little guy.

Our next leg of the trip took us through West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. Our oldest daughter came along for the drive down to Texas. This summers' severe drought was so evident along the way. Not only did we see extensive fields of corn just withered away, but the hills were filled with trees that looked like it was fall because they were changing colors and loosing their leaves. The next morning we were back on the road thru Missouri, and into Eureka Springs, Arkansas for the night. We ate dinner at my cousin's restaurant, De Vito's. It was great. The final day we met up with old friends from England we hadn't seen in 18 years and had lunch in Little Rock, then pulled into Dallas late in the afternoon as the temperature rallied between 106 and 108 degrees!

We spent the next 5 days being chauffeured around the Dallas and Ft. Worth area by our oldest daughter and her boyfriend, and had the best time. It had been way too long since we had been down there to spend time with her, and we really enjoyed it. They had daily agendas printed up with our activities and meals planned, and we did and saw a lot while there. I think our favorite day was going to Ft. Worth, the planetarium, IMAX movie, dinner and the comedy show. But mostly it was nice just to share some special memories with them.

We headed home on Monday, crossing back thru Arkansas, into Tennessee, and Kentucky for the night. We hit the road early Tuesday to get to Cleveland by late afternoon to see a special Uncle, have dinner and stay with him for the night. We always enjoy our visits with him, he is such a gracious host. And Wednesday sent us across Ohio, a tiny corner of Pennsylvania, New York and finally crossing the lake into Vermont. It felt good to be home, and have the next day off before starting back to work.

And now the last days of August are here. The days are shorter for sure, its hardly light out at 8pm anymore, and I fear I will be soon getting up when its dark. We are still having fantastic weather, sunny and warm, but it cools off quickly now, even if it has been into the 80's during the day. And, believe it or not, the trees are changing colors here, and not because of a drought. Just because its that time of year. Every day on my drive down to Burlington I see more and more branches starting their march into fall with the yellows and oranges appearing all over. It is a great time of the year, and it will take nearly 2 months before all the leaves have fallen. But it always comes so fast...