Hope for Fall

As many of you faithful readers know, I travel up to Lake Tahoe every year for a girls' weekend. Usually we get together in the Summer, but this year life threw a little curve ball and our trip was delayed until this last weekend. My friend Lori, her friend Marlene and I headed up on Friday to see Diane at her home in Lake Tahoe. This weekend was truly a silver lining because, for some reason, I had never been up to the Sierras in the Fall....at least not at the right time to see the Aspens turn. And now I am wondering.....why have I let myself miss this spectacular time of year up here?!

Really, the timing could not have been better. The trees were in full display, and the weather was stunningly perfect....perfectly stunning. 

My good friend Diane decided we would drive over to Hope Valley where there is an abundance of  Aspens. We stopped in at Sorenson's Resort, a magical little place nestled in a grove of the Aspens, and a more charming place would be hard to find. It is hugely popular, and the restaurant here usually has a wait time of about an hour. This day was no different. Deciding not to wait for lunch, we leisurely walked along the pathway between the little cabins and exhausted the photo ops....I especially loved the hammocks strategically placed throughout the area. We ended up talking to a young couple who stay here every year at this time without fail. It may become a tradition for Tim and me too! 

We grudgingly pulled ourselves away so we could see what else was around the bend.....huge stands of Aspens, lazy gurgling creeks and grassy meadows all splendid in their Autumn colors.....

Who would ever want to leave?

But the day was ebbing....so we pushed on back to the Tahoe Basin stopping at a friend of Diane's. We were welcomed in to see the garden and take in more beautiful scenery. This particular friend has a perfect lawn that works its way down to a creek. Aspens and Cottonwoods were gorgeous.....

Down at the creek, the leaves were falling into the water, and the beavers were busy building dams for the winter.....

And the Mallards were deciding when would be the right time to head south.....

Wild Dogwoods were turning bright red and the Cottonwoods were in full glory....

As time goes one it is the simplest things give me the most pleasure....Nature just cannot be outdone.....

Wishing you all a beautiful Fall and much Hope as we move toward the Holidays and the New Year!

And many thanks to my good friend Diane, who always knows how to find the best in everything!