Glorious Golden Leaves of Fall...
The aspens were at their absolute peak, leaves crispy in the wind, reflecting the light in their shimmering gold. Even with a huge change in altitude, my parents went to (do a wee) hike in the aspens yesterday with me. Last night the temperature dropped and the leaves will fall, the color will snap and the air will have more bite.
Maybe I'm so giddy about this because I was in my 30s before I ever saw the aspens turn. I'd only seen them turn a handful of times before we moved here. This is my first season to bask in this fall glory.
I made my youngest, home for fall break, take a four mile hike with her parents the day after she arrived. They weren't in full splendor yet and she'd never seen them when they had turned. Yawn. So what. How much longer 'till the end?
Don't you love it when you have the timing perfect? Don't you get a thrill when you experience something special? A southern Rocky Mountain/Sangre de Cristo High.
The southern Sangres are thick with yellow.
Beautiful photo!
Posted by: janet | October 07, 2007 at 06:55 AM
I think I had the same response as your daughter when I was a teenager and "had" to go to the mountains every weekend with my parents while they built our cabin. What I wouldn't give for those opportunities now. Enjoy the beauty for the transplanted New Mexicans out here!
Posted by: allison | October 07, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Some friends of mine are taking a vacation in your part of the world. I envy them. But I have to say it's pretty nice around here. We have seasons in Hawaii, too, though not strongly marked.
Posted by: Hattie | October 08, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Fall in the Sangre de Cristos is always outstanding. It is between tourist seasons for the most part.
Posted by: Panhandle Poet | October 11, 2007 at 01:43 PM