Mountain Magic

Now is the season to picnic in the mountains
and collect the autumn colors,
storing them up against the long winter ahead.

On Thursday,
my faithful Honda transported myself, a friend, the dog and two full sacks of edibles
up to nose-bleed country at the top of Pole Canyon,
home to wild turkeys, deer, elk, black bear, cougars.

Along the way, we came across this gobbler,
who showed up with twenty of it's buddies in the bush.

Just a few minutes down the road, these three friends came hoofing by . . .

TAA DAA . . . the million-dollar view from our beloved picnic spot.

Majestic country, really.

Ms. L brought a homemade concoction she lovingly calls "Prune Whip".

(Adding chocolate improved the flavor.)

I brought marinated cucumbers with gourmet balsamic vinegar, aged for 18 years.
(Sounds weird. Tastes divine. No chocolate needed.)

Chica, La Magnifica, queen of all she sees!

After feasting on our vittles and the view,
we jumped back into the Honda and headed down a rocky backroad for more adventure.
In the shade of the pines, wild asters were growing prolifically.

Various shades of bright berries can be spotted here and there.
Can we safely eat them?
No clue.

Finally, time to turn ourselves around and head home.

The sun highlights different fall beauties and I long to hold them tight.

They are so transient.

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The next evening, several of us headed to Sundance resort
for a chance to ride the ski lift as the full moon rose over the mountainside.

Now THAT was spectacular!