Whether you refer to it as Autumn or Fall, its my favorite time of year. I think its always been my favorite since I was young growing up in rural southern Ontario Canada. The winters were long, and because of that springs were usually short to non existent. Summers were nice but abound with bugs and plentiful humidity, but around labor day weekend there was usually a turn timed with the return to school. The humidity disappeared, but we were often blessed many an amazing Indian summer days well into October as the leaves were brilliantly painted the colors of autumn, the corn stalks dried in the field, and the smell of dried leaves rustled in the trees and on the ground. Even the tilt of the sun in the fall gives a nuanced feel to the season as it flickers through colored leaves.
Growing up, I also had the benefit of a fall fair in our small town of 1500 people (Norwood Ontario). It was the last fair of the season in Ontario and held over the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend usually around the second weekend of October. It was a big deal and always so much fun. Often there would be 50000 attendance over the 3 days coming from all over. Coupled with that was thanksgiving dinner, and memories of walks in the forest, drawing wood and loading it in the basement for winter, and raking piles of leaves to jump in!
Now an adult with my own kids living in the northwest United states I have many similar memories but also some that are different. Fall is a great time to hike and climb in the mountains. The air is cool, and the snow has not yet started. And while the color pallet is a little less diverse than in the east the scenes are still spectacular in the highlands with the crystal clear air. (shots from various hikes in the Idaho high country)
Additionally for the past 12 years I have had the benefit of celebrating a wedding anniversary each fall with my beautiful wife Kelly. We haven't been able to get away every year but we try to which makes for a nice fall treat. Here we are in 2013 in the Cotswold area of England. (we were living in the UK at the time) A secondary celebration that started 3 years ago was the birth of our 4th child Preston, born October 28 so yet another nice way to celebrate the month of October.
Fall also brings harvest decorations, Halloween, pumpkin carving, pumpkin seed roasting and hot apple cider. For the adults it also means seasonal ales - pumpkin, Oktoberfest and fresh hop ales!
This year we even started a new traditions! First - a fall camp out. I took Hunter and Noah up to camp in the Cascade lakes. I look forward to making this an annual trip.
Second, I went out with my dad when he visited to cut some wood. We don't burn wood in our house so its just for our outdoor fireplace but I want to start making this an annual event as well with the kids starting next year. I love to chop wood - I find it very therapeutic. The power of an axe swung by human arms splitting into a wood log is an amazing feeling. This year Kelly bought me a beautiful hand made american felling axe from Best Made Company (ladies - if you are looking for cool gifts for your man - this is the place). I have been putting it to good use - yes splitting wood.... but more for cleansing the soul.
Now in November as fall starts to wane, snow is falling in the highlands, the air as the feel of coming winter and the trees are almost bare, I think back and enjoy the past 2.5 months and what it brings each year.