The previous post deals with the physics of the seasons. This post deals with what we experience here in the Wyoming Rockies roughly 1.2 miles above sea level. It began feeling like autumn here roughly on September 1, some three weeks early.
Because of the altitude, we can count on only two months of summer, though we sometimes get an extra week or two. July and August are reliably shirt sleeve weather, warm though rarely hot.
June and September are a mixture of nice and not-so-nice days, pleasant enough but a light jacket is sometimes essential for comfort. We always hope for some "Indian" summer, and normally get a few days. Today is rainy and cool, we've had more rain than usual this summer.
The forest understory, consisting of berry plants, was the first to turn yellow and begin dropping leaves. About 5-6 days ago the mountain maples on the slopes began to turn a range of colors from orange to bluish red, very pretty.
The aspens are holding out this fall, most are still somewhat green. All their leaves will eventually turn a uniform, pale yellow and the contrast against the conifers' deep green is striking.
When we first saw this property roughly 25 years ago it was this time of year. We walked into the forest and the ground was covered with fallen leaves. It was spectacular and we bought it even though we owned a home 7 miles north. The other DrC has a photo taken from our back deck at her blog.
Most of the summer tourists are gone, and hunting season is happening. Every trip to the store features guys in head-to-toe camo, stocking up. The outfitters have their hunting camps set up in the national forests and the riding and pack animals are ready to go.
The electrician who wired our house did wiring 10 months of the year and guided dudes on hunts the other 2 months. He claimed to make about the same money from each of his two jobs.
Added Friday: Today there is snow falling on the mountaintops a mile or two to the east. None yet on the valley floor where we are, we're getting it as rain.
