Even though I dislike the cold and dread the arrival of dark cloudy days, I do get a twinge of excitement as fall approaches. I can feel it in the air. Even on a warm day the breeze is crisp and fresh. I picture the perfect day in my mind. A day dedicated to time spent outdoors away from the noises of the city. Surrounded by colorful leaves I want to take a hike up to a place with a fantastic view of the countryside. I want to eat crisp apples at an orchard. I want to sit in the sun and watch it disappear over the horizon. Spending the whole day hand in hand with one that is special to me. Or spending that day with friends laughing as we enjoy each others company.
Growing up this was the sort of birthday I had. We’d have family trips up to Palisade Head walking to the edge of the lichen covered rocks. We would sit in the sun and look out on Lake Superior. We would drive along the North Shore among the colorful trees stopping to go down by the lakeshore to skip rocks.
Or a trip would be taken to Red Wing. We’d hike up Barn Bluff in the cool shade and twist around to greet the fall sun once we hit the top. We’d look out on the small town and the river gliding like a snake beside it. Tall prairie grasses obscured the rocky southern trail that we’d cautiously walk/slide down the rest of the way.