The leaves on the aspen trees have turned a pale, clear gold, the mountain maple hasn't done much of its deep red yet, and the deer which had tan coats all summer are getting their grayish brown coats of winter.
We are well into autumn in the high country, but haven't had a hard freeze so far, and no snow either. We'll be leaving later this week and heading south to our winter quarters on the NV side of the NV/AZ border. If we've timed it right, our place down there will have seen its last 100 degree day before we arrive.
We are busily getting our place here ready for its winter hibernation. We sometimes think of our home as Brigadoon. It wakes up each spring, flourishes during the too brief summer, basks in autumn, and sleeps for the other half year.
This year we will have been "in residence" for 5.5 months, most years it is closer to 5. This is a particularly beautiful time of year here, it is normally scenic but autumn, while short, is quite special.
We aren't young, and when we are no longer able to return here each spring it will be a sad time indeed.
