Fall Adventures

This has been a particularly lovely year for Fall colors.  I have a few special spots that I like to go to each Fall to see the glorious colors of the season.  Year after year, I never tire of seeing these Fall colors. While we don't have as many of the vibrant colors like the Northeast, our trees and shrubs still manage to put on a gorgeous display this time of year. There are an abundance of pictures, so grab a teacup or your coffee cup and settle in for some northwest Fall colors :)

Two geese swimming in sparkling waters

A favorite view of mine, the still waters a reflection of color.

Cool skies overshadowing the yellowed grasses. 

Hiking the short trail down to the river.

The reds and oranges of the maple trees backdropped by the purple mountains.

An old railroad bridge framed by the brilliance of the maples.

A late afternoon break in the clouds brought sunshine's warmth to the river. 

A cloudy day turned glorious with a burst of sunshine in late afternoon.

A closer look at the railroad bridge

An elderberry tree

A lovely spot to sit down by the river

A beautiful ending to the day

The colors of this sunset were magnificent, and after the cloudy day,
the brilliance of the sunset was wonderful to see. 

A favorite place of mine to visit in fall.  Once again, this little place of business has failed to remain open,
and is now deserted again. It was last a pizza parlor.  

I think a cozy little sandwich/coffee shop would be a much better fit here. 

So much character in this building and location.  

On another afternoon, the rainstorm passed just at dusk and left this moody scene. 

A home across the river was having a bonfire just as evening shadows were falling. 

The road that leads to our home, decked out in fall brilliance.

Sunsets in Fall are magnificent. 

A quaint little spot to have a picnic lunch! 

Rocks adorned with the offerings of the nearby maple tree. 

Walking in fallen maple leaves... 

Rose hips now fully ripe, bursting forth in reddish delight, adding to Fall's color mix. 

We found a wild apple tree along the train tracks, with fallen ripe apples covering the ground. 

We picked as many as we could, filling all our pockets with them.


What a delightful treat they were too, firm, sweet, and yet tart. 

The railroad bridge at sunset. 

A late afternoon storm left behind this radiant rainbow in the skies. 

Rich colors of fall abound on every corner. 

I will be having my second carpal tunnel surgery this coming Thursday on my left hand. I know a little more what to expect, and yet I wonder what it will be like to have two hands that are weak and unable to do simple things.  Should be interesting!  I can already tell a difference in my right hand, with no pain, numbness or tingling any longer and it is already so worth it to me to have the surgeries done.  My family and friends have been such a blessing to me through it all.

My son showed me a neat "trick" that has allowed me to keep in touch with friends and family throughout this time, since I can't type.  On my smartphone, on the little keyboard where you type your message, beside the space bar, there is a little microphone.  If you tap that microphone, it allows you to dictate your text message.  It is called Google Speak.  I've found it to be remarkably accurate, and it allows me to dictate my text messages and even do my blog posts for me.  However, I do have to edit the message, because there are many words it gets confused on, lol! But at least it does most of the work for me, without me having to text with one finger!

It may be a week or two before I get another blog post out, with two hands not able to do much. However I hope that with the quick healing that I've experienced with my right hand, that it will be the same with my left hand. My Dad is healing well from his surgery as well, and so we are just very thankful for all the many blessings of the Lord, and His great care of us.

Our hearts continue to lift in prayer for those who have been affected by the hurricanes, floods, shootings, and fires, so much sadness and tragedy on every hand, and it reminds me that the little things in life (such as my hand surgeries), are nothing compared to the heartaches and loss that so many have faced this year.

So thankful that our trust in the Lord remains a foundation and a pillar of strength for us. May the blessings of the Lord abound in your life, and may His strength and joy become yours each day.