October Trail Love

Color kaleidoscope

Lisa Schlenker tackles Race Loop.

Subtle beauty is all around

Pine needles and leaves underfoot.

Autumn in the forest is a contrast between the loud, flaming celebration of color and the quiet beauty of more subtle pleasures. Distracted by the gaudy colors, it's easy to miss everything else there is to see. This morning's run yielded a black-backed woodpecker sighting and I heard a blue-headed vireo chirping an abbreviated song. A flock of turkeys skittered out of our way as we toiled up Biathlon Hill and two ruffed grouse took startled flight as we wound our way along the Blue single track trail. The trails beckon even more strongly at this time of year, and after 70 min., I was still reluctant to head for home.