My favorite season

Without a doubt, Autumn is my favorite season. I think I write something like this each year at this time. I love the light, the colors, the cooler air, the days shortening and the turning to inside projects instead of outside ones.

My birthday is in the fall, so maybe that is part of why I love this time of year? I spent my birthday eve with friends in Mendocino. We had a lovely dinner at Luna, the Italian trattoria located where 955 Ukiah used to be. We sat outside, in their lovely garden. It was a warm evening for the coast and the time of year and there were also heat lamps scattered about. The trees in the garden are wrapped in white lights and more white lights are hung and the feeling is warm and magical. We enjoyed two bottles of Italian reds, shared a plate of pesto gnocchi and enjoyed a variety of entrees, followed by two desserts.

The day of my birthday I spent it as I have for the past couple - on my bike with friends. We did a 16 mile loop out of Caspar through Jackson Forest. It was hot but beautiful and it was good to be outside. I really like my new bike; the geometry of the bike makes climbing a lot easier and thus more fun.

I also attended, this past Friday, the AV Winegrowers Harvest Tidrick. This is a new event for them and the Friday evening was a harvest party. There was a Boontling theme and the Museum provided many old photos of Boonville to display. It was another beautiful evening, the food was very good and the wines, of course, were delicious. There was a silent auction to benefit the Museum and I hope they made out well. I bid on a few items but was unsuccessful in obtaining any - which is good, it means that the Museum made more on those pieces.

I hope you get outside this fall and enjoy a good hike or bike ride. Enjoy the last of the garden’s summer output and get ready to cozy up inside with a fire and maybe a good puzzle.