Fiery October

There are few things more beautiful than a sunny late-October day in Wisconsin, when maples light up the woods:

Roads are edged with bronze and green, gold and scarlet: 

Red oaks glow like embers against a deep blue sky:

And a golden hush hangs over the forest:

Birch trees tower like torches over sun-dappled banks:

Silver-black waters mirror soft brown grass and shining leaves:

And late-blooming flowers make the most of fall's lingering warmth:

Nature is ablaze with color, dancing in the face of frost:

These pictures were taken a week ago. Since then we've had a hard freeze, and brightness is falling from the trees. But it was glorious while it lasted.

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October was busy and a bit blurry for me. It started with a trip to California to visit family (and hike, and walk on the beach, and go to an Angels game, and eat lots of wonderful food). I returned home to unprecedented 90-degree temperatures in Wisconsin, and shortly thereafter succumbed to Covid, missing several days of work and some really lovely cycling weather. By the time I was back on my feet, temps had dropped sharply, and all the rain we didn't get this summer seemed determined to fall before the month's end. On the bright side, our drought status has now improved from "extreme" to "moderate". That more than makes up for some missed rides.

There's snow in the forecast for tonight. Wherever you are, may you be healthy, safe, and warm.

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