We had visitors, best friends from sunny California who, thankfully, wanted to see and do it all here in our neck of the woods. And so it was that we went out every day for a week to experience the loveliness first hand. Of course this meant a lot of pictures!
I want to post them all, but to your relief I will hold back and try to post only the best. Please take a moment to click each photo for a clearer look at each photograph!
Today I bring you Autumn’s splendor
On a walkway outside Cathedral Caverns
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In front of a natural wall of rain soaked black limestone
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A Young Maple Grove above Huntsville, Alabama
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A small grouping of Staghorn Sumac* on the side of the road
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The Autumn here is beautiful, but fleeting. In one week a couple of frosty nights can bring it on in a matter of days, and just as quickly a bit of rain and wind can take it all away!
For us California Ex-pats, it is a stunning vision that we are just not used to seeing. It saddens us that it is here for such a short time. Thankfully, the color returns dependably each year, but sometimes, like this year, it is simply stunning!
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*NOTE: Poison Sumac has composite leaves with smooth edges, whereas the Staghorn Sumac has composite leaves with serrated (toothed) edges. That said, if you are uncertain about the plant, then by all means be safe and don’t touch it!
Life on the Farmlet 
Your splendour is splendid, how fun to be able to show all that to your friends! c
We haven’t seen them since we moved 3 years ago! It was great spending the whole week with them! 😀
Gorgeous photos! I did not realize Alabama has such colorful autumns! Very few of the trees and bushes here have any leaves left!.
Thanks Beth! Well, we’re not Vermont, but we do get color here. I think it has everything to do with the fact that we are in the foothills of the Appalachians!
Beautiful photos Lynda! We went to Cathedral Caverns in 09 and really enjoyed it. Since my sister and bil were with us, they made them sing in German. 😉 Have you ever been to Burritt on the mountain or Constitution village? Both are definitely worth a visit, but we really love Burritt.
Thanks Anke! Yes we have, although we didn’t make it to Burritt on the Mountain with our guests. We simply ran out of time. My friends said they never knew there was so much to do here, and they were so excited about what they did get to see. Well, there is always next time!
Cool! You were much more restrained with your photos than I was.
Hahaha, It was very hard let me tell ya, but If I can figure out the slide show thing, then I think there will be no stopping me! 😉
Did you see that I left you the link on how to do it in my reply (also on today’s post). If you need me to walk you through one, send me your phone # in an E-mail and I’ll give you a call over the weekend.
Yes, thank you! I was going to reply earlier, but I’m having issues with page loading tonight. Your newest slide show didn’t even open up. 😦
Anyway, I am looking forward to trying this out tomorrow. If it doesn’t work I may take you up on that phone call! 🙂 I appreciate your willingness to help. ~ L
There is nothing that says fall like the maple. Sadly it is not native this far west so I have to content myself with memories of a few childhood years spent in Ontario and beautiful images like these.
Cindy! I have been thinking about you and missing you very much! Your new school year must be hectic. Thank you for the compliment, as always it means a lot to me coming from you!
Your photos are gorgeous!! Things are starting to get colorful around SoCal now, though. The liquidambars are getting pretty, remember the trees lining Arrow Highway from Pomona to Claremont? And Lincoln Avenue in Pomona is terrific this time of year. The ginkos are starting to glow, too. Still about a week or two there. I also drove down your old street yesterday, and the pastiches (sp?) are getting brilliant. We have a young crape myrtle in our front yard that was pretty vivid last year, hope it does it again this year. I miss the maples of my youth in Seattle, but we do have some autumn beauty in good old Smogville!
Thank you Penny! Yes, there is quite a bit of color there, especially in the older neighborhoods with all the really nice old growth trees. I am so glad to be here where we have seasons, but I gotta tell ya, I do miss my old friends. Our good friends from church were here and gone and I really feel the quiet. Hmmm… You know I now have a spare room that is empty should you ever decide to come out our way for a visit. 😉