Don’t Take Fall For Granted

The autumn leaves have already peaked here in the high country and I’m not sure how that’s possible.

Gone are the blazing hot days of intense summer sun. We’re in what some people call “Indian summer” and although the origin of the phrase isn’t entirely clear, it was likely a period after the first frost when Natives American were able to continue hunting and preparing for winter.

I walked out of school yesterday and saw the sun illuminating the aspen trees adorning the hillside and I decided that going home just wasn’t an option. Fall is so fleeting in the mountains that I swear the leaves changed right before my eyes this year and I just hope I haven’t taken it all for granted.

I do revel in the minute details and walk a bit more slowly because I know the cold is coming. I take my time watching the yellow leaves flutter in the air and dance beneath the water’s surface. I use the elongated shadows to my advantage while fishing because nature loves to hide. But nature doesn’t wait for us to notice what has already come and gone; it elapses at its own pace.

I pulled my truck over a few extra times this fall to photograph the foliage. I simply stood and listened to the rustling leaves a bit longer because I want to hear what they’re saying. I wonder what people without a written language thought about the autumn leaves…

It’s such a special time of year that connects to memories of playing in the creek where I grew up or the smell of fall soccer games on the grass field at my old high school. It’s almost impossible to put into words because fall is more of a feeling than a season.

I hope you get a chance to stop and look up as the sun hits the leaves in a way meant only for you.