It's That Time Again

Our “up north” camp was closed for the season this past weekend. It’s always a melancholy time.

It seems like such a long list of things to do just to prepare for about 7 months of inactivity. I was pleased to have two beautiful, northern fall days to accomplish my work. And yet they only serve to remind me why I love being there, and make me gloomier still, that I must leave it.

We all enjoy the summer months there. But to the summer’s noisy, splashy, fun-till-you-drop, long crazy days, I’ll always match up autumn’s cool, passive, stillness for what makes the place so special. Of course, there is the color of changing leaves, but there is much more.

Along the lake shore, the water is like glass. Not one boat on the lake, just a few ducks deciding if the time is right for them to leave also. In the woods, there is a scent of old grass and leaves decaying into the forest floor, and it’s a wonderful smell. Above, the clear northern sky shows even more stars as the air gets crisp and cold.

The north country is preparing for some “down time”. Recharging maybe, for those days of 18-hour sun and fun to come next year. In that respect, maybe we need this time too!