Leaf Peeping

Landscape Arboretum

Had the opportunity to visit the University of Minnesota's Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota. Friends Bud, Pam, and Susan strolled the Three Mile Walk enjoying the amazing sunny day with all the Fall colors.

Also, there were pumpkins, scarecrows, and a stop at the apple barn.

Highland Park Water Tower

The following day, Bud, Susan and I went to the Highland Park Water Tower in St. Paul. It is open to visitors just twice a year. Once you climb the 150 steps to the top, there are spectacular views of both Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) and surrounding areas.

Click here to watch a video.

Fall Photos

Sunroom view.

My art photo.

Multiple colors in one tree.

Pumpkins, gourds and mums.

No annual leaf drop

For several years I've been posting the annual ginko tree leaf drop. When the temperature goes below freezing, all the leaves drop at once. This year the drop has not happened because we haven't had a freeze yet and the wind has taken care of removing the leaves.

The forecast is for snow tomorrow but it probably still won't be below freezing. These roses will most likely make through the snow.

Back to shorts weather

After a couple of frosty mornings, I am back to wearing shorts today. The forecast is for a high of 75. Sweet!

The first frost in town was Saturday morning. I covered the tomatoes and peppers in hopes of getting another week or so out of them. There was another frost Sunday morning. I'm not sure if they are really going to make it. We'll have to see in a couple of days.

There still hasn't been a real freeze in town though apparently there was at the airport - the official weather recorder. The indication of a real freeze is the falling of the ginko tree leaves. I am still waiting for that to occur. The leaves haven't even turned yellow yet. There have been a few times when they have dropped before the green is gone.

There are still some beautiful fall colors in the neighborhood. We have had a gorgeous season this year.

The Jeffery Official Start of Fall

The annual dropping of the ginko leaves.

It was cold enough this morning to cause the trees to start dropping their leaves.  Walking to coffee was truly beautiful.  Twenty-nine degrees, no wind, bright sun...yellow, green and red leaves gently falling like giant colored snow flakes...such an amazing site.

Walked out the front door later in the morning to see the sidewalk and parked cars covered in yellow ginko leaves...ahhh.

A Charlotte Fall

A smile and a laugh

I was making my morning walk to the coffee shop.  It was cold and crisp and the sun was rising.  The maple tree in front of the church was a blaze of yellow.  Leaves were wafting down...floating...shining...making me smile.

Then a leaf crashed right in my face!  It made me laugh.

It was one of the best starts to a day ever.

And the annual ginko leaf drop as it finally got cold enough this morning.

Also, my Mom and I had an email discussion over whether the fruit of a ginko tree stinks...you have to have a female ginko tree to have fruit.  Most cities try not to plant femail ginko trees.  There happens to be one done the block from my house.

I had claimed that there was no smell.  Well, there definitely is.  The fruit is all over the sidewalk and I stepped all in it.  By the time I got home, I (my shoes) stunk up a bunch.  Avoid ginko fruit.