Seasonal Surprises

Once again, it's been happening.

Why does it always take me by surprise? After all, it DOES happen every year.

I have proof: 2009 & 2010

So, early this week, I decided to spend a day with AUTUMN.

I do this every year. Well, since I've retired.

I clear off a full day on the calendar and head to the back country.

My 'back country' is about a 20-minute drive from the house.
(Notice front bumper of new Subaru.)

I travel on a well-maintained dirt road . . . where the traffic is literally non-existent.

I set up my lounge chair under a tree that is ON FIRE.

I read a little and hike a little and read some more and gaze a bit and read a little and listen to the nature sounds.

I try not to think very much. It takes away from the experience.

My dog loves spending the entire day romping around out-of-doors.

In the late afternoon, I take the road back home.

It's the only season when the local GIANT of a mountain stands 'naked' without snow.

You can see it behind the choir of reds:

Here's how our mountain looked TODAY:

The angles are different, but I swear to you it's the very same mountain.

When the first snow storm of the season arrives, we find ourselves reeling.

This one literally POUNCED on us.

It was darn sobering after the recent riot of colors.

Actually, this mountain CAN blush with color in the snowy season. . .

for about ten minutes before sunset.

February 2010

We did NOT have those conditions today. Nor yesterday.

However, in spite of this dreary weather,
I'm stimulated by the textures of the mountain facade.

They inspire me to throw in a few 'effects'.

Taken with a telephoto lens from my front porch - today.

Be that as it may, let me just declare, loud and clear,


It MUST.

After all, the O'Henry peaches were just barely harvested and the Fuji apples haven't been picked yet.

Sheecago!

My daughter Kelty loves to soak up life at every opportunity.

Before the above shot was taken,
we were heading home from a museum near Kelty's pad
and I suggested a stroll along the shores of Lake Michigan.

We ambled by a cement embankment where the waves were slapping violently,
causing the water to spurt up in the air.

It intrigued Kelty and she got closer and closer,
loving the unpredictable timing of the geysers.

Here comes a COLOSSAL one!

Sera, Kelty's sister-in-law, watched for a while and finally couldn't resist the fun.

Now there were TWO soaked gals to toss into the car!

BTW, I was SORELY TEMPTED, but I exercised some restraint, which I can muster up on rare occasions.



Back on the homefront, Ms. Rella was entertaining us royally
with her tremendous capacity to enjoy life.

I wonder how she acquired that trait?

For the last couple of years, HOME has been a Palace in the Sky,
a condo overlooking the Chicago skyline, Millennial Park and Lake Michigan.

See all the boats in the harbor, right behind my granddaughter?


Does Rella May even care?
No.
She is more interested in experimenting with different methods of getting MILK into her MOUTH.

"Hmmmm. That's interesting."

As for me, I'm fascinated with their views
and loved seeing how they would dynamically change from sunrise to sunset . . . and beyond.

As I gazed through those windows, I marveled at the seasonal changes, as well as the intra-day variations.
You see, most of my visits have taken place in the dead of WINTER.

Notice how there are NO boats on the lake. Just ICE, with cracks near the shore.

During THIS trip, with the balmy temperatures and all, I managed to take in the
Chicago Architectural Boat Tour.

I highly recommend it.

(To make it an Over The Top Experience, take Kelty. She's superb company.)



Finally, let me mention that Kelty's MAN was there, but I have to use a stock photo to represent his presence.
(Taken at one of our family reunions.)

He patiently helped me through the 100 hurdles of my new smart phone.

As usual, he never once made me feel dumb, in spite of his commanding knowledge of the techno world.

That's just ONE of the many things I like about this dear son-in-law.

Gal Pal Time

Reflections . . . on a lake and a fine trip with friends.

It's September - a lovely time to be up in the mountains.

Along with some delightful gal pals, I hung out at a cabin
in the mountains of Southern Utah for four days.

We ate on plates which we each designed during last year's getaway.

Sometimes we could be just a bit goofy:


Sometimes we simply hung loose:

And then there were issues requiring our solidarity . . .

and Lynnie + Janet's quilting skills:


There couldn't have been a prettier place for a cabin.

The general area is called Duck Creek Village.
The cabin goes by the name of . . .


Here's the view from the back porch:

Can you see the early morning frost on the benches?

Aspen Mirror Lake is situated just beyond the grove of trees in the above shot.


I rather think it should have been named Pine Mirror Lake,
but who asked me ?
And how can I quibble over such details when the MIRROR part of the name was so RIGHT ON?

The lake was particularly awe-inspiring
as the day advanced to evening, and again, as the night transitioned back to morning


Dawn was my favorite time of day to be there,
because the early rays of sunlight captured the mists rising from the water.

My friends snoozed during those sunrise moments.

But several of them joined me for a moonlight hike around the lake.

No photos of that night. It was a whole different sort of magic.

Even the mid-day hikes were delightful.


One never knew what surprises would present themselves around the bend.

The deer on the right seemed to acknowledge the human presence with a turning head,
silently saying"It's okay. I'll share my home with you."

Or, at least, that's what I'd like to believe.

Gallavanting

I've been traveling . . .

Ohio, Illinois, and the mountains of Southern Utah since my last post.

These three whippersnappers were the reason for my nine days in Ohio.

My dear daughter Leah and her husband were taking their first trip ALONE

since their 8-year-old daughter was a baby.

Working as certified fitness instructor for two hours daily

landed her an almost FREE vacation at a 5-star resort in the Yucatan.

They loved snorkeling in the Caribbean waters. You can see more shots of their trip HERE.

Can you tell that she's six months pregnant with her fourth child?

Other monkey business was going on back in the U.S.A.
while Grandma Ginger took 'front lines' their children.

An hour at the local pet store was OUR

5-star excursion!

No. I didn't get them a puppy. After all, they are getting a baby in three months.

Good thing these kids are used to having a 'Quiet Time' in their rooms every afternoon,

helping children and adults (esp. grandmas) to decompress.

A brilliant idea, Mommy Leah!

Miss Avery in Quiet Time

These little gals love SELF EXPRESSION in all forms!

Furthermore, they inspired me,

because I could see evidence of the conscientious parenting behind the scenes.

PROMISE: The next two posts will not be focused on grandchildren. I'll be sharing some choice shots from my other adventures. Stay tuned. Here's your sneak preview:

Illinois (Shore of Lake Michigan):

Aspen Mirror Lake in Southern Utah: