THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

Summer's over
Now it's Fall
Quite the nicest
Time of all!

It's the end of summer. Time goes so quickly and for the most part, it was a lovely summer. We had some rain at the end of August that spoiled the last few weeks of holidays, but once it was September the hot weather returned for awhile so we were able to enjoy some excellent adventures.

I went on a kayaking trip -- first time ever! You can read the details of this adventure on my travelthroughhistory blog. It was a lovely day paddling up the Indian Arm, stopping for a salmon barbecue on one of the tiny islands. Certainly one of those experiences that will remain in my memory forever!

My friend Patrick came to visit so we went up Grouse Mountain on the gondola one day. Another first for me! We enjoyed browsing around the mountain top, taking lots of photos, seeing the sights and having a little picnic. I've written about it on my travel blog too.

One of those warm days my son, his wife and I went for a picnic to Locarno Beach. We intended to go swimming but chickened out. However we enjoyed lounging in the sun watching the sailboarders and ships in the harbour.

I had lots of picnics this summer both at this beach and at the pool and beach in Stanley Park where I often went swimming. Now it's the first day of autumn and a chilly wind is blowing. There are clouds with a bit of sun. But autumn can be a lovely time too. And next weekend I'm looking forward to another big adventure in the mountains when my friend and I go on a little weekend trip to Three Valley Gap. Another first!

I LOVE AUTUMN

View from a friend's apartment
Autumn in the West End


"I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand shadowless like silence, listening
To silence

Thomas Hood 1791845 Ode: Autumn 1827 st 16

In the neighborhood where I live the streets are lined with trees and at this time of year it's very colorful. I love walking through fallen leaves. It reminds me of my childhoods in Ontario when we used to build forts and pretend houses and rake the leaves into big piles, then jump in them.

These are the colors of Autumn: red, brown, yellow, ocher, orange, purple. I enjoyed walking around the city taking photos of the autumn colors. But very soon the trees will be bare. Winter is creeping up very quickly. I'm thinking of that song When Autumn Leaves Start to Fall...There's something very melancholy about that song, but it's beautiful just the same.