Today is the last day of summer. Tomorrow is the first day of fall. Normally I’d be celebrating because fall has always been my favorite season. Fall has always brought great things, but especially respite from heat and drought. (That was even more true in Oklahoma than it is here.)
This year, however, I’m not quite as jubilant. I’m actually a bit wistful looking out at all the lush green that has been the summer of 2023. It was unusually cool in Denver this summer. I don’t think we ever hit 100 degrees. And there was so much rain. Everything in my yard is still bright, luscious green, although a close look will reveal some browning edges on the aspen leaves. The house across the street is totally obscured by my little redbud tree heavy with foliage (some torn by hail, but still green). The privets along the back fence are out of control, almost overwhelming the pine in the corner, and my two aspen trees have been very happy all summer — although one is still suffering from last winter’s cold and drought and may or may not recover.
Local meteorologists are predicting a brilliant, possibly record-breaking, fall because of all the moisture and cooler temps. And I look forward to that. I still remember one year when I went leaf peeping and the mountainsides were covered with sad, wilted, tired aspen trees backed up by brownish conifers hit heavily by both drought and beetles. So depressing.
But there were other years, good years for leaf peeping. I particularly enjoyed 2012. (Has it really been that long ago!?) The post is broken by numerous formatting changes since then and I don’t think I can fix it. I may not even have those images anymore. (WordPress has a nasty habit of “losing” images from older posts). But my favorite quick-access spot is along Highway 72 between Nederland and Ward. At approximately mile marker 37 there’s a valley along the west side of the highway that puts on a good show.
It’s been strange all ’round, for sure.
I won’t complain about cooler, wetter summers. But cooler, wetter winters are not on my wish list.
Apart from needing to vent a little about WordPress’ habit of changing stuff gratuitously .. I suppose I can sympathize wit’ yer, Colorado – even though we’re facing a comeuppance re climate change with our oncoming season, seeing as how somer is icumen in and we will be punished .. Sighh .. I am glad I’m not young, truly: were I my very favourite person in the world, who has a wife and two children around whom his life and loves revolve, and who is 39 .. why, I would be anxious. Very.
It makes me sad to think of what we are leaving to younger generations. We’ve screwed up. The earth is hurting. And the trajectory does not look good. I hope your summer will not be as bad as you fear, but here in the northern hemisphere this summer, we did not set a good example. Maybe you Aussies can do better.
We can only try ..
It looks like this fall should make up for that one that I remember too–all the aspen leaves turning brown without turning golden. My prediction is that this year should be glorious here in Colorado. (I hope I didn’t just jinx it.)
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it’s been different in Michigan as well, and a bit different being in Arizona on the first day of autumn
Let’s hope this isn’t the calm before the storm, so to speak.
right
I visited my brother last year when the Aspens were in color. He took me on a ride to Cripple Creek (no, we did not gamble, just looking for a lunch spot) and we ended up on one highway that gave me a few beautiful photos. Here in WI, it was hot and dry all summer, but I am seeing some yellows pop out in the trees. Here’s hoping for a colorful fall!
I’ve never been to Cripple Creek, but any drive in the mountains this time of year is going to be a good one. WI doesn’t strike me as a place that would be hot and dry. Up north and close to all that water and all. But it’s been an odd year everywhere. Hope your fall comes through for you.
Not all of WI has been dry. Where I live, just south of Green Bay, the rain seemed to purposely avoid us, going to the north or south of us. It’s been frustrating.
I’ll bet. I’d think in your location that adequate moisture would never be a problem.
M-J, next time you visit Colorado, send some of your terrific images to Susan here: they’ll fill her large heart with pride. 😀