With the chill in the air and darkness settling in earlier every night we already miss the long, warm days of summer and shudder to think of donning coats and navigating slippery highways. But the past week of glorious fall color and warm temperatures has made this time of transition delightful.I captured every spare moment I could this past week with being out-of-doors. Here's a bit of a travelogue of seasonal sightings:
Saturday, October 17 - A walk at the Snow Road Metropark
- A squirrel with his mouth stuffed with a massive wad of leaves, bedding for the winter.
- Pawpaw fruit lying on a bed of leaves. I rarely see them because the deer snatch them up so quickly. The American Indian is credited with spreading this tree around the eastern U.S. Some research has shown the pawpaw fruit to be effective in treating of cancer.
Sunday, October 18 - a trip to my home county to visit my parents
- Along Butler Road, much harvesting going on, and even into the night there were lights in the fields; A boy on a tractor pulling a wagonload of corn from field to storage.
- Folks enjoying a wagon ride, pulled by two draft horses.
- The park where I spent so many hours playing as a child alight with gold and crimson leaves
Monday, October 19 - Blossom Hill, Brecksville
- From where my church sits high up on Blossom Hill, one can see for miles and far in the distance the twinkling lights of the city. Above, the canopy of sky was transformed at sunset into a canvas of watercolor, blue, pink and yellow. Underneath that sky on the wide open green spaces a soccer game was in progress.
Tuesday, October 20 - Picnic area on The Valley Parkway just off Brookpark Road
- The colors seem to be changing more every day. I keep watch for blue heron, had spotted one there once before. A large tree recently fell along the river bank, showing its massive root system, and narrowing the path along the bank.
Wednesday, October 21 - Tinkers Creek Gorge, Bedford Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. I think it also may be considered part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
- The time/temperature display across the street from my office said 72 degrees. Ate lunch on the picnic table under dark blue skies.
- Full parking lot at the "scenic overlook", Tinkers Creek Gorge 200 feet below. It is a U.S. Natural Landmark, described as one of the most spectacular views in all of northeast Ohio.
- At Bridal Veil Falls, several flights of stairs allow easy passage into the Gorge to get up-close and personal with the breathtaking beauty of the Falls. (Photos coming next week)
- A sign at a roadside market on Tinkers Creek Road: PUMKIN. (Do you pronounce the middle "P"?)
Thursday, October 22nd - Back at Snow Road Metropark
- To the accompaniment of marching band practice in the distance, bursts of wind dislodging a great many leaves, creating a rain of fluttering yellow.
- A four-point buck pursuing four doe along the creek bed.
Didn't make it to the gym this week but it was too nice out to be cooped up inside on a treadmill. With the wind and rain expected over the next few days, the season of bare branches will be hastened.
