Transition Time

We've finally made it to September, the transition month. Since June, the weather around here has been rather predictable -- hot and dry. The temps have hovered daily near the century mark, and we've had at least a month of days in excess of 100 degrees. In that same time, we've had very little rain.

I snapped this photo of some healthy looking ocotillo early one morning at our club house.

But with the arrival of September, things start to change a bit. The first half of the month will remain hot and dry for the most part, but by the end of the month, autumn will begin to tease us. Thus begins my favorite time of the year. The kids are back in school, temperatures begin to gradually fall, a few rains will move in, and autumn colors will begin to appear, peaking in late November or early September.

One of our neighbors certainly does like yellow flowering plants.

I love how vibrant and rich this purple sage is.

It looks like we are starting the month off with a good weather forecast. On Labor Day, temps will drop about 10 degrees, and we have a 30% or 40% chance of rain in the Concho Valley much of next week.

This neighbor has a nice mix of colors in her yard.

This is my favorite time of year to travel, as well, and I really miss having an RV during the fall months. I miss camping in one of our state parks as the mornings and evenings begin to cool. It's a great time to hike, build a camp fire, and watch the wildlife. Maybe I can talk Donna into buying me another RV.

Deer spotted on a recent drive through Spring Creek Park

Although the days are still summer warm, Donna and I have both felt just a bit of difference in the early mornings during our walks. There is a freshness there these days that has been missing since May or June. I look forward to it cooling more so that we can return to taking walks in San Angelo State Park. Because of the heat, we tend to walk in our neighborhood early; in fact, we are usually finished with our walks before the park even opens its gates. But once the morning temps drop another 10 or 15 degrees, we may postpone our morning walks until 8:00 AM so that we can enjoy the peacefulness of the state park. It's nice out there, and only 2 miles or so from our house.

Notice the rich color of this sage in front of one of the restrooms at the state park.