Peak peekers at peak colors!

Today we took a friend to lunch at The Watershed Cafe in Osceola, WI. We've never before been there when it's been as crowded as it was today. We were daring and ate outside on the deck. Sunlight was starting to prevail and the breeze was mostly gentle. Today may have been the last decent chance this year to enjoy eating outside.

whispering waterfall in Osceola

Photo by J. Harrington

Before, during and after our lunch, mobs of motorcyclists rumbled across the 243 bridge and through downtown Osceola. An occasional classic car would cruise by and there were almost as many pedestrians as fallen leaves along the sidewalks. Everyone must have seen, and responded to, the stories about peak Autumn color and the brief interlude of classic Autumn weather. The crowds, for the most part, were cordial; the bikers, not so much. Was today Autumn's last hurrah for this year, or is there more to come? Sometime soon we'll begin the descent to deeply diminished temperatures and increased snow cover. The seasons will have changed. Will the transition be gradual, or abrupt? Have you stored enough of Autumn's memories for this year, or must you try to squeeze in some more before Thanksgiving? Remember, we're at Autumn's midpoint. it's about six weeks to the beginning of meteorological Winter, and Thanksgiving is late this year. Celebrate now! Soon the susurration of streams tumbling over rocks and down waterfalls will be muffled by snow and ice until Spring.

pumpkins, official veggie of October?

Photo by J. Harrington

As additional signs that peak Autumn has arrived, we saw several flocks, some large, some small, some in the air, some on the ground, of Canada geese and sandhill cranes during our drive. Local farmers have begun to harvest corn and soybeans, although many of the fields we passed remained untouched. The parking area at Pleasant Valley Orchard was almost full as we drove by. It's peak time for several varieties of apples, and pumpkins are on display almost everywhere.

October

By Robert Frost

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—

For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

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