“There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir. We must rise and follow her. When from every hill of flame, she calls and calls each vagabond by name.” — William Bliss Carman
Autumn color in my son Lewis’ Texas Gulf Coast front yard. — Photo by Pat Bean
“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” – Humbert Wolfe
Road Trip Fever
October is my favorite month of the year. I thought about this while I drank my cream-laced coffee this morning and looked out over the Catalina Foothills from my third-floor balcony.
I slept in until after seven, and so the sun had already crept down the mountain, bathing Mount Lemon and the valley with a warm glow while a brisk October breeze brought the feel and scent of desert freshness, after two days of on and off again showers, to my body and nose. It felt and smelled delicious. From my viewpoint, the valley was dominated by a rustling green sea of tree tops, their verdant hues enhanced by the monsoon rains that visit the Sonoran Desert.
And the color of October in Maine’s Scarborough Marsh. — Photo by Pat Bean
But elsewhere, in higher climes, the aspen trees are turning golden, the maple leaves are burning with fire, and the forests are wearing coats woven of lemon yellows, apple reds, pumpkin oranges and plum purples.
Such splendor calls to my heart. I especially want to see the sun-illuminated glow of aspen leaves as they wink to me in the wind. I’ve got road fever.
So o-dark-hundred tomorrow, I am heading to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon on a route that will take me through some of this country’s most scenic landscapes, which hopefully will be lit up with the colors of autumn.
It will just be me and my canine companion, Pepper. And that’s my favorite way to travel. I’ll tell you all about my trip in upcoming blogs. So stay tuned.
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I love October too. Your beautiful words brought it to life for me this morning. I want to hit the road!
But i gotta work 😦
Thanks Dawn. Maybe you can at least escape for the day, and have somewhere nearby to see the fall colors.
I’m off on Monday and that is the plan!
Thanks Pat. Lovely images and lovely words. I love Autumn everything feels full of comfy. 🙂
You’re welcome D.
Enjoy your trip!
Thanks I am. In Page, Arizona, now, and heading out in an hour for the Grand Canyon.
I don’t have a favorite month, but I agree that October is especially nice. For us in the south October means our first real break from the heat of summer.
Enjoy your road trip! I’m jealous!
I like October for that reason, too, Alex.
Can’t wait to see the pictures of your trip and your words behind it.
Thanks. Coming soon Wazeau. Hope you and your parrots and cats are enjoying life.
Wow! What a great shot of the tree. I love the close up of the leaves and their colors!
What is great is that it was simply in my son’s front yard. While I love to travel, it’s just as rewarding to keep my eyes open to what’s just as marvelous out my front door.
That is so true Pat. It is sometimes easy to miss the beauty in our own back yard
Have fun!