Coming quickly to the end of the season

We are on our last week here, and how strange it is. The beautiful leaves have mostly blown away and we are supposed to be at a low of 23 tomorrow night. Florida is calling, although of course things are not normal there or anywhere, as the virus is not gone (it seems like it here - still no positive cases at all since 9/1). We will pack our pile of masks, take a deep breath, and fly down to the tropics.

I went for a wonderful walk in our woods and came across this. Bear or elk? We're not sure. We are slowly starting the winter close down of the house. Outside water off, hoses in, outdoor furniture in, etc. It's very hard to do, emotionally not physically. We plan to be back in mid February for a couple weeks, no white Christmas this year. Every year is different and this one is most definitely one for the records.

The deer are everywhere munching on the last of the green plants. They leave Star Mt. every winter for lower ground. If it's a normal year we get far too much snow for them to handle.

Small animal sightings. Great horned owl and red fox. Hadn't seen either one for some time although I heard the "hoo-hoo" a number of nights. We are but visitors here...

There's much to be grateful for in the midst of chaos. I send wishes to all to be safe, healthy, and find some joy even in the smallest thing.

Resplendent Fall

 

Fall is truly here with magnificent color. We've done some driving around to catch the golden hues. It goes in a such a hurry, I'm watching golden leaves fly off the trees in the woods as I write this.

We made a drive up to Gothic and our special Emerald Lake. I've been up several times and it has gone from wildly busy to back to the serene place I know and love. Off season is just about here.

We continued on to Paradise Bowl. What a gorgeous sight. A great jeep ride.

 
Views from our house. We are enjoying every minute of this glorious weather. We have just over two weeks before our time here is done for months to come. Back to Naples for the winter! We are in for a shock regarding temperatures. It's been freezing here at night and in contrast it's 88 high there. Whoa.