Seasons are not the same year to year. Everyone can sense the differences, no matter how small, if they are in tune. The changes here, however, November 2020 versus November 2021, are not subtle but I am enjoying the freedom. The ranch is mostly devoid of humans now, a hunting lull and most have packed and winterized their cabins, returning to their winter lives.
A year ago this week I was dependent upon Moon Bug to get to and from the house, the Jeep parked down at the junction of Borman and Kline. From there, I could still drive wheeled down the mountain as long as I was careful. It was cold, blistery and I was attacking my wood reserves twofold, notably for I did not understand the subtleties of modern wood stoves.
This year the ground is bare. The temperatures are in the fifties most afternoons under a fully pounding Fall sun, so life is much different here year to year. I am burning from my wood piles as of today, six weeks or so later to start diminishing piles carefully crafted over the summer. Moon Bug is tracked up, sitting idle. I watched friends take a booze cruise around upper Schierl last night in a wheeled vehicle. The entire ranch is still snow free.
Another day to go outside and enjoy the bonus of our Fall. I have company this weekend and next, with nary a snow storm in sight.