First things first. Feeling groggy, I stumble downstairs and get the coffee going. Then, to the next task, and Simon and Shawnee peer up at me, tails wagging. Hooking on their leashes, I opened the door to take them out. Brrrr!!
The first thing that greets me is the smell of wood smoke, something that seemed a distant memory from last May. But the temperature told me that it was time to crank up the wood stove again as it appeared most of my neighbors had.
A far cry from two days earlier when I walked around the neighborhood donning shorts and a T-shirt. A cold front had moved in, bringing rain and some really brisk temperatures. Summer was long gone, and not only had fall arrived, but the air of winter is upon us.
The temperatures over the last three days have struggled to make it out of the 30s, and not only did I have to pull out my jacket, but also my winter hat and gloves just to take the dogs for a short walk around the block.
I could only imagine what the mountains looked like, as they were obscured by fog. But given the cold temperatures at our house, I am sure the high peaks are coated with snow. This was later confirmed by photos taken by my friend, Sam, of a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, with 2-3 inches of snow covering the trail and trees.
There’s something magical about this time of year, when the color change hasn’t finished, but we get a glimpse of winter. The backdrop along the Peak to Peak highway of the golds and oranges popping out along the road, but with snow capped peaks towering above is the quintessential autumn scene for the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
And though for some, this early taste of winter is not welcome, for me, it feels good to be out in the brisk weather. The cold temperatures invigorate my spirit as I walk briskly down the dirt road, and apparently I’m not alone as Simon, all 15 years young, gallops ahead, seemingly gaining a second wind from the drop in temperatures.
As I fire up the wood stove, our log home feels cozy and inviting. I look forward to making a steaming bowl of soup and making a cup of tea, as I sit next to the fire reading.
Summer is on its way out, and this mountain girl couldn’t be happier.
