Closed for Remodeling...

On Monday, we went to Sedona to hike in West Fork and take in the fall colors...we got all the way there (it's at the end of the drive in Oak Creek Canyon...which usually means that you're stuck behind someone who refuses to go the speed limit, is swerving all over the road and pointing out the window) and found that the trail was closed due to maintenance. Yes. A public land was closed for remodeling...and the wonderfully wide sides of the road had No Parking signs all over them, so we couldn't even get out and walk around...







As it were...there was a whole colorful fall playground surrounding us, which led us to stop and park in a couple of places and run out to enjoy the colors and smells (well, that and we both had to use the bathroom, and there are usually bathrooms at the picnic areas...we did not enjoy the smell of the bathroom, however...) I have been wanting to go to Sedona for a few years to enjoy the colors...and I finally found myself totally immersed in the beauty of fall. Fall has been drawn out this year into a long tail of summer...it's been mostly in the 70's during the day here (30's at night) so the colors are slow (in my mind...of course, it could just be my mind) to turn this year...so standing close to the running water, in the gentle dappled light of the fall...smelling the leaves helped me feel so serene and comfortable.

Like coming home (which probably is due for a bit of a remodel...I wonder if the trail crew in Sedona could be convinced to swing by here?)