Fall in California

As much as I try to find beauty everywhere, autumn is my favorite time of the year. Cooler weather, changing colors, crunchy leaves underfoot, hot apple cider, mountain sunrises and ocean sunsets…well, maybe those last two aren’t fall-only things. Either way, I love taking an opportunity to explore the way an area changes with the seasons, and I’ve been fortunate to get up to Northern California a few times this year to do exactly that. There are pockets of changing color up north, but the onset of fall seems to be signified more by a shift in mood and attitude—a sense of preparation and recognition that winter is on its way. The days have been warm and clear, but when the sun starts to go down the wind gets colder and the trees become backlit and throw long, long shadows. What a wonderful time and place to be!