Let's Go On a Mountain Drive

I've found myself, lately, to be in absolute despair over the idea of winter coming.  My heart was breaking every time I looked out at my finished garden, and it was the end of October and I hadn't yet been to the mountains for some leaf gazing.  I realized that the mountain drive through the autumn color is a ritual for me that helps ease me through the transition.  Autumn is my favorite season.  I've been so busy (and sick for two weeks!) that I almost missed my favorite month!  So Saturday DH and I jumped in the car and headed for the Mt. Nebo Loop.

We started out in Payson, where they are very into Hallowe'en!  Almost every house we drove past had elaborate and spooky decor on the front lawn and porches.

Most of the reds had already passed, but we got to see some.

We started seeing way too many guys in orange and hearing the sound of gun shot.  Too late I realized I had dressed all in brown for deer season.

When I wasn't worrying about being shot, I enjoyed the color.  I am mesmerized by this yellow against the blue sky!

The air was clean, the sun shining; it was a gorgeous day.

We saw birds.  I don't know what this fellow is.  Any idea?

We saw horses.

"Darlin' darlin' darlin' walk a while with me."  What's that song?  Guesses?

DH tried valiantly to catch a shot of the fish jumping.  There were so many!

We sat for awhile and just enjoyed the lake.

You've heard of tree huggers?  Well, I appear to be a tree sniffer.  There was an incredible aroma in the air and I was trying to discover its origin.  I do believe it was this tree.  I have no idea what the tree was.

Thanks for coming along on this tour with me.  If you want to see more pics (many more!) pop on over to my Flickr page!