Autumn (or was it Winter?) in Wisconsin October 10, 2000
The
blast of cold sure felt like winter. The jet stream had taken a dive and
made it as far south as Texas. One weekend it was in the 70's -- golfing
in shorts; the next weekend there was snow on the ground. Quite a
shock. Still, waking up to brilliant white snow was a treat. It was
wet and sticky, covering trees and making everyday sights into something new and
special.
Not that snow or cold stops
folks in Wisconsin. It was just above freezing
with on and off
flurries and a bit of wind when we decided to brave the weather and drive to the annual Cranberry Festival,
a crafts fair, in Eagle River. Amazingly, we arrived to find the rather
large fairgrounds packed. We
expected the craftspeople would have figured out how to set up their booths in the snow and
maybe get a heater pointed at their toes -- they had committed to coming months
ago. But having to get through crowds of shoppers was a surprise. We only went
because our good friend,Judy, wanted to buy fresh cranberries (75 lbs worth!)
at a nearby cranberry bog; because there was a special crafts item she wanted to
buy;
and because we
were promised a taste of cranberry cheesecake. What brought everyone
else out into the weather is beyond me.
Before and after the big chill, autumn was
around every bend in the road. For
our California friends
who usually miss seeing the fall colors, I've included two autumn photos here
and 3 more on a linked page. (Autumn
Photos) Unfortunately, 
the height of color only lasts a few days, and
weather conditions need to be just right to bring out the best colors: a cold or
frosty night and then some sunny days. It's been close, but not perfect up
here in the Northwoods. Now we'll head south to Madison, following the changing
leaves.
Or, maybe it'll snow again? You just never know.