Which is your favorite? I love both, but the changing leaves are a gift to us every fall. Orange, yellow, red, green, brown — I love them all. Add some hot cider, chocolate, or tea and a cozy fire to take the chill off and enjoy getting together with friends and family.

I’m scheduled to go on my first ever cruise at the end of January. I’m anxiously awaiting news. Will it go or not? Should I go or not? I am soooo looking forward to escaping winter and enjoying some sunny days and warm beaches! Do you have any travel plans coming up?

There are advantages of hiking trails in late fall and winter as opposed to summer. First, of course, there’s the lack of sweat-producing heat…no cooling scarf or ice water required. Then, there’s the enhanced view. Fewer leaves let us see the creek or the hillsides from many places where the views are hidden by summer foliage. To top it off, the earthy smells and satisfying crunch of fallen leaves give one a unique seasonal experience. On the ridge overlooking the Missouri River at Weston State Park

What a find! Out on an automobile-free island in Puget Sound, we hiked to the top of a hill. There we found a tiny but lovely library, built by the local school children for the adults on the island. The donated books were all good reads! Rustic, comfortable, and full of good reads