Monday, October 20, 2014

Falling Back in Love with Fall

I love this quote by Anne of Green Gables!

I've struggled to really embrace fall this year.  I usually love this time of year but this year I wasn't quite ready to let go of summer.  But over the course of the last two weekends, I started to fall back in love with fall.  I think I came to the realization that ready or not, fall is here so I might as well embrace it.  After all, it is a stunning time of year in the Midwest, and it can be a brief season so I might as well make the most of it!

I just have to look out my window to be reminded of how beautiful this time of year is.  I've said it before and I'll say it again - I feel so lucky to live where I do.


The last two Sundays, I've gone on long runs along the mighty Mississippi.  It's a beautiful area with paved running and biking trails lined by trees.


The trees in this residential area along the river seem particularly beautiful this year.


I recently rediscovered a running path that I hadn't ran in over 2 years which takes you closer to the Mississippi River.  The fall colors are stunning. I can't wait to run this path with my friend Lori when she visits this coming weekend!


The sun was shining and the reflection off the water was beautiful.


The path I ran features a bridge that runs parallel to the shore of the river.  I love the juxtaposition of the great outdoors and urban life in this photo; it's a peaceful wooded area but you can see the Minneapolis skyline in the distance.
   

This running path is probably 5 miles from the center of the city but it feels like a different world. The 2 pictures show how the fall colors have begun to peak over the last week as they were taken in the same area!




This past Saturday, I also had the chance to go for a nice long bike ride with my friend Courtney. We covered about 24 miles and saw lots of beautiful fall colors along the way. 
Biking is so much more fun with a buddy!

After fighting the transition into a new season for awhile, now my mind is saying:  "OK fall, I'm ready for you."

Have you greeted fall with open arms or have you struggled to embrace the change of seasons? 

16 comments:

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

Love all your photos- it looks beautiful there :)
I have a love/hate relationship with fall. I love: the weather, the beauty and the food (apple, pumpkin, squash etc). I do not love the feeling that winter is coming. I also can never be totally in love with fall as long as I teach kindergarten- the beginning of the year is always so hard with the kids and the expectations of all that we are supposed to do. It's hard to truly enjoy the season as a result.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I love all of your Fall colors! That is one thing we don't get too much of around here. I miss being at my parent's house for this season, as they not only have the colors; they also have the crisp air, the apples... and all of the things you think of when you think of Autumn. However, Fall here brings perfect running weather and usually clear, sunny days, so I cannot complain!

Abby said...

These pictures are just unbelievable! Fall is the hardest part about living in AZ for me (second to missing out on my family!!)

Minneapolis is such a gorgeous city - unlike non other. I love it!! So glad you get to love there again.

I actually do a pretty good embracing the change of season. It's how long one of them (summer) sticks around. But I always get giddy come April when it comes, because it means "pool season". And the sun comes up at 445 am which is wonderful.

Beautiful post! Some day I need to come visit in the fall!!

Marisa A. said...

Since I've been wishing for fall since May, I definitely welcomed it wholeheartedly! But I also am not a summer lover so I'm in the minority :) But I have been loving wearing all of my sweaters, blazers, tights, hats, coats...I just love my fall wardrobe! Just maybe not the three large mature Maple trees in our yard that we will be raking up after until probably spring.

missris said...

I was not on board with fall for a while there (or maybe I was just dreading saying goodbye to summer) but now I'm back in love with it a little bit :)

Marlys said...

I have always struggled with letting go of summer, but do love the fall colors and this year was exceptionally beautiful! Summer ended swiftly with some very cold temps, but now that they have tempered out, I am truly enjoying this fall season! We have had some brutally cold and snowy winters so am always concerned about what is coming! Beautiful pictures you posted!

J and A said...

So beautiful! LOVE all the pics!

Amber said...

Beautiful pictures! We have had a really stunning fall here with insanely gorgeous weather (it was 22 C yesterday!) so I have been loving the weather lately. I just adore the colours in fall!

katielookingforward said...

I am so glad the weather has been nice October! I had a rough summer and have had a few great runs these last couple weeks. Here's hoping November isn't too chilly!

Nora said...

Gorgeous running paths! I've embraced fall, I think. I'm enjoying the colors of the trees, bundling up under a blanket, bonfires, baking & cooking more... it's my favorite season and I really wish we could just push pause for a bit as I don't want it to end...

Stephany said...

Fall doesn't exist in Florida, so it's not really something I have to prepare for. But we have been having seriously nice weather (lows in the upper 60s, highs in the low 80s), so I am loving our "fall" this year. Definitely still rocking tanks and tee's and flip-flops, but we're getting a reprieve from 110-degree days, so I'm happy about that.

No fun fall colors, though. Boo. The pictures you posted are just stunning. I definitely want to make a trip to the Midwest or New England area next fall so I can see what this season looks like in real life!

Leigh said...

Gorgeous pictures! I really need to come visit one day. Fall is a super short season here (we've already had snow!) and it makes me sad that it means winter and long, dark days are coming.

Jeanie said...

Like you, and for the same reasons, embracing fall has been a struggle. It's a bit more because as I look out my window the trees are still green as can be. I'm seeing more color on the roads, in other spots, but I think we're in a pocket or something. It was nice to go to Ohio this weekend and actually see fall (though most of the time through the rain!)

Carolina John said...

Obviously you got used to the heat in Charlotte so this summer in the great white north has left you starved for heat. I understand. and I jest, of course.

I'm all about that autumn this year, as we only get it for real for a couple of weeks between the blistering heat and bone cold seasons. so I can totally understand why you don't want to let go of those summer days.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I think I've embraced fall, but I still dread winter ...

Fall in Minneapolis looks beautiful! It's beautiful here too :-)

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

Our trees have been beautiful. My backyard is officially moved on to winter. ;( But the rest of my town is still beautiful!