The Golden Hour

The golden hour is the brief time before sunset when the sun is low in the horizon and the world is bathed in a soft, warm glow.  While it normally refers to a specific time of day, I think it is a perfect analogy for the period of time during the fall season when we're past peak color and nearing the end of our fall color season.  

For Mid-Michigan, this generally occurs near the end of October when the world is covered in yellows and golds, as the oaks begin to change to their golds, maroons, and browns, and we are about to enter the long dark days of November, December, and January.  We have definitely entered this period over the last week as October and Daylight Savings time come to an end.

This week started before sunsrise on Monday.  I dropped the girls off at Canine College in the dark, and then made the drive to the airport for my flight to Dallas.  The security lines  were longer than normal, and I made it to my gate while we were boarding, shortly after sunrise.

It was a smooth flight to Dallas and a short Uber ride to the Gaylord Hotel where I'd be spending the next few days working a conference.  I checked into the hotel, then checked in fot the conference, ate lunch, and got to work.  Sessions and a marketplace kept me busy until just after 7pm, and I headed back to my room exhausted.  I ordered room service and watched The Voice, and I was in bed by 9:15pm.  After I long, exhausting day, I was happy that I got a great night's rest before an even longer Tuesday. 

On Tuesday, once again, I was up before sunrise to start my work day.

The resort is pretty and peaceful in the early hours of the morning.  

I was lucky and didn't get assigned to work the final breakout session of the day, so I was done with work just over an hour earlier than the official pre-dinner free time.  

I was thankful for the extra time because it allowed me to get out for a walk and some fresh air.

It was 83 degrees, so I was happily able to wear shortsfor my walk.  I was happy about that.

I enjoyed views of Grapevine Lake along the Grapevine Trail.

And I saw some very Texan sights along the way.

When I got back to the hotel, I ran into one of our advisors who was heading out to the pool, so I walked out to the pool too.

There were several advisors at the pool, so I stuck my feet in and stayed a bit to chat.  Then I headed back to my room to clean-up and relax before it was back to work for the evening event. 

I was excited to take advantage of the opportunity to get my picture and a team picture with this Texas Longhorn.  What a cool experience!

There were also stations for making your own BBQ rub and to get a specially embroidered bandana.  I was excited to get a bandana for Fiona and some BBQ rub for myself. 

The second night of these conferences are always a bit longer as people stay out later to socialize and have some fun, but I knew i had an early morning, so I made sure to get back to my room by 11pm and I was sound asleep shortly after; another long exhausting day complete 

I was up again before the sun, for a quick bit of work for an early bird session, then I grabbed breakfast, and headed back to my room to get all of my stuff to bring back down to the luggage storage while we finished our final morning of the conference.

Before I knew it, it was time to catch an Uber back to the airport to head home.  Security moved quickly and I had time to change into comfortable clothes, eat some lunch, and relax a bit before boarding the plane for home.

We landed at 5:10pm, and by the time I was off the plane and back at my car it was 5:40.  Traffic was slow moving, and I needed to stop for gas on the way to pick up the girls.  I made it to Canine College and had the girls by 6:30, picked up some carryout for dinner, and started my drive home.  We finally made it home around 7:45 after another long day.  I unpacked and sat down to watch a little TV before heading to bed early.  It was good to be home!

I had an appointment first thing Thursday morning, and I couldn't believe how much the colors had changed in the few days I had been gone.  I think the difference was even more noticeable after having spent 3 days in a very dull Texas.  Being there definitely made me thankful to live in such an amazingly beautiful place.  

After work on Thursday, the girls and I headed to Fenner Nature Center for our walk.  It was such a beautiful evening to be outside and we made the most of it.

We started our walk in the short grass prairie, which Peaches loves.

The colors were beautiful and the deer were active. 

Then we walked along the River Trail to enjoy all of the maples in shades of yellow and gold.

Then, when the trail reached Evergreen Cemetery,  we took a walk around the cemetery to enjoy all of the beautiful trees there.

These trees were extra spectacular with the sunshine glowing on them.

Finally, we were back on the River Trail heading toward the car.

And we made it back in time to see the sunset light up the cotton candy sky.  It had been such a beautiful walk and I took so many pictures.   I just couldn't stop myself!

I was excited to have the day off on Friday and to have the chance to get a little extra sleep and have a slow start to our morning.  But I had lots to get done, so we couldn't waste too much time.

We started with an oil change in the car and a stop to fill up the gas tank.  Then we drove out to visit my cousin's roadside farm stand to get some end of season fresh veggies.  Next, we started our drive towad Felzke Farms to get a pumpkin to carve and some delicious donuts on their final day of the season.  Along the way, we found this cute roadside pumpkin stand with pumpkins being sold for only 50 cents each, and an adorable spot for a photo op, which I had to take advantage of, of course!

After securing my donuts, I promised the girls we'd stop at Padgett Park dog park.  We haven't been there much this year, and a mid-day trip is always the best kind because there are fewer people.

Peaches had a good time exploring and sniffing, and Mina got in a good round of fetch. It was the perfect visit.

Next, we drove across town for a grocery stop at Aldi before heading home.

I unpacked the car and put away the groceries and put Mina in the house.  Then Peaches and I made the drive to the shelter to pick up our new foster, Mandible.

I had an appointment to get my tires rotated, so while that was getting done, I took Peaches and Manny for a walk.  It's the best way to kill the time  waiting.

After the car was finished, we went home to introduce Manny to Mina.  Introductions went well, so we all got into the car for a visit to Preuss and a walk around Old Town before it got dark

It had been an extremely busy but productive day off, and we were ready for dinner and a quiet evening at home.

After another good night of rest, we were ready for a good Saturday. 

There was a Halloween event at the Jackson Farmer's Market, so I dressed the dogs in their costumes and headed out for some fun.

The coolest thing about the Jackson Farmer's Market is that it is held on the grounds of a former prison-the first state prison in Michigan.

We walked around to explore the grounds and the old walls before making a couple of purchases at a couple of the booths.  I was most excited about the final tomatoes of the season.

After our visit, we stopped for lunch at Schlenker's. 

I've been wanting to try the burgers here since I first heard of this place.

It was a beautiful day, so I sat out on the patioto eat with the dogs.  Of course everyone got a small taste.

Then we drove home to watch the football game and carve my pumpkin. 

I did some cleaning and laundry while the dogs napped.

After the football game, I wanted to take the dogs for a walk before the Halloween evening fun started.

I decided a quick trip to Fenner would be perfect. 

It was another beautiful day in the woods and we all enjoyed the fresh air.

And I once again took way too many pictures of all of the beautiful color around us.

We got home just in time for my final Halloween prep.  I got the girls out for our customary Halloween day photo in the front yard. Then I fed everyone dinner, and started my own dinner.

We had a handful of kids early, and I was happy to be able to sit outside until just after sunset.  It was such a beautiful evening.  Eventually, I came inside and Manny joined me while I handed out candy.  He was an excellent little helper and a very good boy.

We ended the evening with 16 trick-or-treaters.  That's one of the smallest numbers we've had in a number of years.  But overall, I'd say it was still a good night.

Peaches put herself to bed still in costume around 7, Mina snuggled into her cozy cave for most of the evening, and Manny made himself comfy next to me on the couch for the evening once the door was closed for the night.

Fiona also had a great Halloween evening dressed as a Fairy Penguin.  I'm so happy that Nicol sent me these pictures.   

October and our spooky season now come to an end as we transition to November, the end of Daylight Savings Time, and the season of giving thanks.