October Fun!

A revelation...today I found trees changing color.  OMG...not the beautiful reds, oranges and brilliant yellows, nonetheless it was a documented color change.  Almost a soft pastel yellow, this lovely tree was changing color.  Although this past summer has been scorching hot, we have had sufficient rains, allowing the trees and other vegetation to remain green and vibrant throughout the summer months.  Being the forever optimist, this is a color change and not a shrivel from the heat.  As in Connecticut this upcoming weekend is filled with many outdoor activities in the area.  Close to home, we have the "Cracker Storytelling Festival"  now in its 22nd year.  Much like the New England musters, this festival is all about the pioneers who settled Polk County, Florida in the early 1800's.  A must see here in Florida and a welcome treat away from the global tourist meccas, just thirty minutes to the Northeast.

October, specifically Columbus Day weekend, was always such a lively weekend in eastern Connecticut.  The last Green Valley was one of a number of walking tours, locals and tourists took part in during this weekend.  Sprague's picturesque Shetucket River Valley, populated with beavers, white-tailed deer, Atlantic salmon, and majestic Bald Eagles, soaring high above the treetops, are all part of these walks, as well as a lazy canoe voyage, down river from the Scotland Dam.  Fred's News was an info center for the numerous walks throughout the area.  Over the years, we had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, who specifically came to the area for these walks.  They would see the vibrant flowers of Fred's News, the INFO sign for the Last Green Valley and the quaint benches and wooden bears, beckoning them to come in, sit down and stay awhile.  Every few years, a gentleman from England would park his bicycle on the sidewalk, come in, sitting in the front window, allowing for a full view of the flowers. "Good day folks, a tall glass of your outstanding water, a cup of tea, perhaps a slice of that delicious apple pie.  Please warm it up a tad, and plop a generous scoop of vanilla on the top".   "Have you all been well,since we last spoke?"  We actually never knew this gentleman's name, however, every few years he would "come across", touring the New England states, with loaded backpack and just his bicycle.  His visits would always be during the Fall season, allowing for some spectacular photos of all the states.  These visits with us were usually no longer than forty-five minutes, then on his way, vowing "don't change the pie recipe, I'll be back."

Bald-Eagles are relatively new to Sprague's landscape.  Perhaps one of the most majestic birds to watch, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a number of pairs of these Eagles, now call eastern Connecticut home.  Mark Chartier once told me, there were about fifteen pairs along the Thames River from the Norwich area downstream towards New London.  Hopefully their population has increased since we have "flown south".  Amazingly, we have seen Bald Eagles in flight, just a few miles from our home here in Florida.