Autumn in full bloom

 For Thanksgiving weekend we headed up through Algonquin Park to spend time at Richard's sister's cottage in Muskoka.

 I grabbed my watercolours and did a quick sketch of the scenery.

 The night before we left was mighty cool -- we had to scrape ice off the windshield -- and when the brilliant morning sun broke out, the warm water created a photogenic mist.

 Near Huntsville, we went for a walk on the Grandview Trails.

 At the summit, the view wasn't so grand. Couldn't see the view for all the trees!

On our way home, each twist in the road revealed another "ooh" and "ahhh."

Fall happenings

 We took our annual trip to Richard's family's place in Muskoka over Thanksgiving and were blessed with perfect weather. 
That's nephew Michael's dog Winston.

 The temperature last Sunday was 18C and sunny.

Richard's sister Mary taking in the view at Lake of Bays.

 Sparkling water had us all down at the dock hanging out with a bottle of wine.

Say ahhhhhhh.

 Meanwhile at home, autumn is in full fettle.

My new woodshed (to the left) is starting to fill with wood. There's Oreo posing at its doorway.

A Day in Lake Placid

 Last week Richard was on holiday so we took a day trip across the border to Lake Placid, NY.

 First stop was a sign with my sister's name. Actually Mt. Marcy is the highest peak in the area!

 Lake Placid was colder than I thought...I should have brought a hat! No snow at home but snow in the hills (duh, Ronna!)

 Lovely old theatre that the folks in Lake Placid are trying to save.

 Gorgeous blue skies. We walked back and forth through the town and checked out the architecture.

 Love this artful shot that Richard took.

 Walking by the lake...

 Whiteface Mountain I think. You can see the ski trails on it.

 Richard liked the signs.

Some of the lakes further along were frozen. Very pretty.

 Back in Lake Placid we stopped in a cool sandwich place, named after all the trails and peaks in the area.

 Huge sandwiches.

 Nom, nom, nom!

 Scenic as hell!

 There was real snow there! We're expecting a big storm tomorrow
but last week it was a novelty!

 At the Olympic Center...the one from the first Olympics in the 1930s.

 On the way home through in the Adirondacks, we pulled over to take our last photos
as the sun set.

We had a wonderful day...and intend to head back in the spring
when the days are longer and warmer.

The Times They Are A-Changing

 With the first light snowfall this morning, I figured I'd better put up the photos from our autumn walk two weeks ago.

 We drove  to Mt. Rigaud, just over the Ontario border into Quebec and came upon some sort of bike competition. I particularly liked them all lined up at the washing station. It was a muddy day!

 We climbed up the hill, to the top of the ski lift.

 You can see green fields way in the distance below.

 The leaves were amazing!

 Nice!

 And the bike riders were still going around in circles as we descended.

Hoorah for the full Hunter's Moon, rising over a field of soybeans! 

Posing Pumpkins

I was in Hawkesbury last weekend where they had an event for kids for Halloween. But behind the picnic tables set up for painting were pumpkins.

 Lost of pumpkins. Pumpkins pumpkins everywhere.

 There were pumpkins posing in front of giant Swiss chard...

And even a pumpkin in a pansy patch. Sweet.

Hunter's Moon

Hurricane Sandy was rolling into the east coast while here in Dunvegan the full moon --t this one called the Hunter's Moon -- was rising and the temperature was 15C and clear skies. But very windy. Harbinger of things to come.

Sketching En Plein Air

 Natalie, Barb, Tristan and Sophie (the dogs) and I headed out on a nice, warmish fall day to do some sketching.

 Once we got to the back of Nat's property, at the Beaudette River, we set pen to paper.

 I started off by trying to paint the milkweeds going to seed.

The sun came out and it was time for lunch. Sophie and Tristan were keen to share with me!

 Sophie is full of p and v and was happy to be outside.

 So was Tristan but the walk to the back pooped him out and he was snoring in the sunlight.

After some sketching, talking, laughing and eating, we headed back to civilization. Can't wait till we can do this again!