Good-bye to Autumn

According to this year’s calendar, the “official” start of winter is December 21st. Sorry, but four days before Christmas? I don’t think so. Up here in the Pacific NW, we’re already well into the winter season by that time. For us, Thanksgiving marks the real transition between fall and winter.

By Thanksgiving weekend, there’s almost always a layer of new snow blanketing the high country. Along the Pacific Coast, the clouds are socked in low. The thick, heavy mist of autumn has shifted to rain. And out on the plains, the frost is definitely on the pumpkin. Winter isn’t just fast approaching, it’s here . . . or certainly will be in a day or two.

So before we embrace the upcoming holidays and the inevitable skiing/sledding/hockey season, we thought we’d give you one last look at Autumn 2010.

This photo was sent to me by Randall Harris who just recently rediscovered his love of photography. Pulling out his Nikon D-60, he spent some time about four weeks ago in Coeur d’Alene Park in Spokane, WA. As you can see, the sun was shining brightly that day and the leaves were still on the trees. And the results? Striking!