Our Trip to Fall

As many of you know, we've gone on "fall" trips for the last few years. It's right around October/November, when the weather in Gainesville fails to approximate fall in any way. When there are the ridiculously unnecessary sweaters and jackets appearing in local stores just as the temperature hangs out at 80 in the afternoon and stagnates at hot and muggy even in the morning. But we can't pretend like it's not supposed to be fall, because of the insane amount of fall themed items on sale, the "fall" carnivals and pumpkin scented everything. So it's right about this time of year when I feel the need to travel north in search of a fresh breeze, colorful leaves, and maybe even a mountain or two. The first year was an impulsive trip up to the Carolinas that I planned in a week. I think it was one of the best for the spirit of fall. The second was a trip to Tennessee and Georgia, which was also nice (especially Chattanooga). Last year was our more cultural and friend driven trip when we managed to hit Philly, Lancaster, Baltimore, Virginia, and DC in a little over a week.

This year our trip was to Ethiopia to pick up Merete, which was by far the most amazing trip of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. But come on, would it really be too much to ask for there to be some sense of fall somewhere?? Ethiopia has two seasons, rainy and dry. We were there near the beginning of the dry season. There was plenty of green hills and beauty around us. And of course, the nice cool air each night. But I so do miss fall. We had a couple of weeks of cooler weather, but what is it with the 70 degree mornings now??

This is when I get the itch to migrate north. We can't, but I do have one snippet of fall from this year. And I hold on to that snippet, for I know it will be my last bit of fall for a long time. I did see a patch of beautiful trees and I did catch a whiff of fresh air...when we landed in DC on the way back from Ethiopia. So here it is, the picture from this year's "trip to fall":