Swaying in the wind, trees keep rhythm in nature’s dance.
The brisk wind gossips with the aspens while dressing them in brilliant gold.
Their gowns swish as winter’s breath blows their brilliant leaves and scatters them through the night.
Soon golden leaves will blanket roots until skeletal remains rot under silent snowflakes. By the time the aspens are stripped bare, nature’s dance will have ended and they’ll be sound asleep to dream of dancing once more.
***
This is the end of the Wild Rider Fitness Challenge. Do you have an outdoor adventure you would like to share? Leave a link in the comment section. Thank you for virtually challenging me to go outside and exercise!
Are the leaves changing in your neck of the woods? Do you love fall or do you miss summer already?
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
Leaves aren’t changing, yet… but we have some maples that have been dropping leaves due to some kind of fungus (among us). It’s been warm and muggy for over a week and I am looking for a shift to cooler and drier temps. We’re headed to a county fair this weekend and we are looking forward to it – cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and bunnies – and a great time in the country… not a fitness challenge by any means, but fun family time. Enjoy your week!
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That sounds like a fun weekend ahead!
I was surprised to see fall color so early. Lost Lake is just above Boulder in the mountains near Eldora Ski Resort. We hiked it two weekends ago and I took the photos above. When we hiked in Breckenridge last weekend, the trees were still green. There must have been a killer closer to home. I think it’s going to be a cold snowy winter. YES!
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No gold here yet, unless you count that ball of fire in the sky making it unseasonably hot as hell. Beautiful photos!
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The mountains are always ahead of us in the color department since it’s a lot cooler, especially at night. It has already seen “the frost of Jack.” Here in Boulder fall color will probably appear in October as usual. It’s going to be 87 here today!
Thanks, Lisa!
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Not yet Susie, although I hear there was snow on Friday. I wasn’t here. I was in 86 degree Montreal at the time. ❤
Diana xo
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It’s really early for color. The valley we hiked in must have been hit with a hard frost. It’s going to be 87 degrees here today. Hot.
Snow already. Wow! Do you ski, Diana? I think this is going to be “the year!” Our squirrels have been packing nuts away and foraging bear have been sighted all over the place. I saw my first wooly caterpillars since moving here 28 years ago!
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I used to cross-country ski, but I pretty much don’t like winter anymore LOL
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I love cross-country skiing. You live in the wrong country! Ha!
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yeah LOL now that’s the understatement of the year!
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Great photos. I love this season.
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Thanks Catherine and for the tweet! I love the change of seasons too.
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My fave season… but leaves dont change here for another few weeks..until Canadian Thanksgiving first week of october or somewhere around that:)
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Thanks Linda!
That’s more typical. I couldn’t believe my eyes. That valley must have taken a cold brisk punch of frost. I haven’t seen color anywhere else, but I would guess it’s starting to pop in the high country in places.
This is one of my favorite seasons too. I love wearing sweaters and jeans and baking and hiking in the cool weather and fireplaces and the crunch of fall leaves under my feet and the smell their decay and of apple cider and football games and …..
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Second photo from the top is my favorite – so peaceful and relaxing! Leaves are hinting of change here Wisconsin, but nothing definite yet.
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Thanks so much!
I would say the hint is a “sure thing” in Wisconsin. Ha! You have all the maples, oaks and other colorful deciduous trees. We are the golden state with cottonwoods and aspens, expect of course in neighborhoods where we all have sprinkler systems. 🙂
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Between the streams, the leaves, and the wind – no place has such wonderful sounds
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I totally agree. That’s the best part and why you won’t find me hiking up to Lost Lake again. It’s been found by hundreds of hikers. Gah! Trying to get away from it all has become a project. Pretty soon I’ll be bushwhacking with a compass. 🙂
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OH, no! Lost Lake is lost. No kidding – places are getting “discovered” far too much. Any hope it’s just college kids and they will be distracted from hiking soon? (or it will get too cold/muddy/not football…)
Maybe you’ll need a drone to scope out getaways
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I knew those Briskys were such gossips but the Aspens are too when they wish the birds sweet dreams. Other creatures await the undressing and the dress down like Aspenade and lemonade. Their gowns in the wind such a flaky strip tease for Spring far away.
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I love it! The animals are putting on the pounds and extra coats while the trees await their final burlesque show. Thanks for stopping by and actually reading. Ha!
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Love this, winter comith quickly…
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Thanks John. I sure hope so! I’m ready are you?
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Yes indeed, to watch the snow fall on the mountains around us! Snow doesn’t make it to the valley floor here. 🙂
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A perfect way to end your fitness challenge. The pics are lovely. Kudos to you for the creative idea this summer!
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Thanks, Carrie! I had to get my own behind out of the chair, which reminds me. I’ve been working all morning. Time to get outside!
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Beautiful photos, all golden and glorious, while around here it’s hazy and humid. I can hardly contain my excitement about autumn’s impending arrival. Just a few more weeks and the leaves will begin to turn colors– and I can go outside without feeling like a used moist towelette.
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Hahaha! I have to remember that one. It was strangely humid here this summer with all the rain and I resembled one too. 🙂
Thanks so much! I can’t wait either. I love layering up.
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Thanks to this post, gold is my new favorite color. *smile*
Look at me…being all positive and stuff. Miracles do happen. *even bigger smile*
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Totally! Every day. We just need to keep our eyes and hearts open. 🙂
Thanks so much!
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Gorgeous photos!
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Thanks Anneli! It was a surprise since we hiked that area two weeks ago. Breck had very little in comparison. Frost must have swept through that forest.
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Lovely pictures and words to accompany them! If there are any leaves changing around here, I will not be looking at them. It’s been 90 degrees here for the past 3 days and that’s okay with me. You know how I feel about… (can’t even say the word). 🙂 xoxo
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San Francisco might be the perfect climate for you. A cool 65 degrees year round!
It was hot here today too. I took the dog for a walk and really overheated. I’m looking forward to autumn.
Thanks so much, Maria!
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The leaves were just starting to change when we pulled out of Door County, WI. I’m looking forward to seeing some Colorado gold soon!
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Summit County was still surprisingly green. I was amazed at all of the gold aspens at Lost Lake. It’s just above Boulder next to Eldora Ski Resort. It must really be colorful now! I took these two weeks ago.
So you’re heading back here? Cool!
Love Door County. My next book takes place there. 🙂
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Yep, we’ll be at Cherry Creek State Park the last 2 weeks of the month and I’m hoping to capture some Colorado gold. So I’m counting on you to keep me posted on the leaves.
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Here, some leaves are changing. I love fall, it’s my favorite time of the year, and I hear people saying that all the time. Great photos, Susie. :o)
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Are you on the West coast or East? Another few weeks and it will be brilliant! I love this time of year too. It was hot here today and I can’t wait until first frost. I’m ready and waiting….
Thanks so much!
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We live out here in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Its been pretty hot here too. Yep, just a few more weeks, and your welcome Susie. :O)
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Beautiful photos! Here in Northern CA, fall (or at least September) often means temps close to triple digits. As an east-coast transplant, I still haven’t gotten used to the idea that the kids go back to school in shorts and tee shirts.
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Thanks so much, Audrey.
Right? When I was a kid, we wore our wool jumpers and new shoes and tights. I don’t remember it being too hot, but it’s super hot back east this year. They took cooling off breaks at the US Open!
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I am insanely jealous of you living in such a beautiful location!
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It is gorgeous. The mountains are right outside my window. Being from the Midwest originally, we really appreciate the vistas.
Thanks for stopping by, Jake! Your’e back! Are you blogging again?
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It’s much better than a view of a car park! I mean, I do occasionally get to see drunken fistfights, but other than that it’s not very inspiring!
I am planning to get back to blogging quite soon. Have some ideas for a supernatural-themed blog, I just need to get my scanner working first so I can upload artwork. Will let you know when it’s ready!
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Excellent! I just stopped by to see what you were up to. Fun little creepy story!
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Beautiful photos. I was in Aspin CO on a trip and was 10,000 feet up in the mountains on the back of a horse who had about a foot wide path. The scenery was amazing.
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Thank so much, John!
I love Aspen! It’s one of my favorite places. That sounds like a fantastic adventure. I’m glad you stayed in your saddle. It must have looked like a really long way down…Did you go to Maroon Bells?
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No. In fact, we were busy the whole time with other activities. Maybe next time. (we didn’t even think of a park)
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It’s a famous mountain face in front of a small lake. Pretty gorgeous!
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We need to go back obviously.
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Lovely, Susie!
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Thanks, Anonymous person! Your comment is most appreciated!
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WOW! Those pics are so beautiful! I’m totally digging the second shot, you got everything in that one. Loving your neck of the woods…Fall has yet to show up. I’m hanging out with 106 degree weather over here.
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Thanks, Guat! It is really early for fall color, but the golds are starting to appear.
That is way too hot. It will be in the high 80’s today, but finally dropping into the 70’s tomorrow, for one day. I’ll take it!
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Duuuuuuuuuuude I will take 80s! Air conditioning working overtime here 🙂
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It was 90 yesterday! Up and down this time of year.
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Seeing all that gold, Susie, made me crave beer.
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Not quite the same thing, but hey, you’re a writer. Way to use your imagination! Ha!
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This is exhilarating, Susie!
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Thanks, Julie! It’s still pretty green here in Boulder, but dry. The golds have shown up in the fields so far. You must be heading into spring!
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Beautiful photos, Susie. The leaves haven’t started changing here yet, but I’m looking forward to it. Fall is my favorite season. Apples, crisp air and beautiful leaves. 🙂
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Thanks, Jackie! I bought apples yesterday!
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Mathair and I love the fall. More specifically it’s my favorite time of year. I love it when the leaves change and the air is cool and crisp. The Smokey Mountains just burst with color. Unfortunately we had a really rainy summer so they haven’t started changing just yet. And though the Smokey’s are gorgeous, Coloradan mountains are breathtaking and Mathair and I are mesmerized over their beauty.
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I remember the Smokey Mountains and their moody lowhanging clouds and BEARS! People would feed them out the windows of their cars. Ha!
We are back east and the color hasn’t changed here either.
Thanks for stopping by and for the Facebook share!
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