I hate to start talking about how fast time is flying by, because it's inevitable some wiseacre will say something about age. But, it's true. It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the arrival of spring and now the first snowflakes of winter are falling.
We were fortunate this year to have what felt like an actual Autumn, rather than moving from summer to winter in a matter of days. Mother Nature blessed us with a warm, dry fall that, for me at least, makes the arrival of winter seem a little less dreary.
Since it's snowing and I'm not ready for the white stuff just yet, I thought I would post a few photo's of the fall colors in Interior Alaska.
We have a multitude of hues of yellows and golds but don't typically see a great deal of reds in our fall colors. But, just two short hours south in Denali National Park, the color pallette comes alive with almost every color imaginable.
We spent an afternoon hiking up this old dry creek bed taking pictures of the colors and wildlife. I love summers in the Park, but Mother Nature really puts on a show in the fall.
Although beautiful, these mountain streams never really get above 'frigid' despite the near constant sunshine. Yours truly discovered that what is frigid in June is downright cold as ice in September. Note to self; watch where you step.
There is a saying that goes "when the fireweed blossoms turn to cotton, summer days will soon be forgotten." The cotton signals the end of summer. Well, the blossoms have turned to cotton, and since snow is falling, it must be so! Now, where the heck are my snowshoes?
You wrote: "We were fortunate this year to have what felt like an actual Autumn,"
Wait a minute! Does Alaska have different seasons than the rest of the country? Virginia is just 2 days into Autumn.
It's not over till it's over. I'll saver every day possible until I have to turn the heat on and wait for a few snow flakes, which, I hope will be few and far between. I'm not ready for the white stuff either.
You have posted some spectacular photos. I have always been amazed at the blaze of color that blossoms from the seemingly baren land in the far north, especially above the timber lines of mountain areas. I've seen them in Montana and they are just beautiful.
WOW! Those photos are fabulous! How blessed you are to be able to see such splendor! Yesterday was the first day of fall and we were greeted by rain and a high in the 60s, which was welcome after a summer of drought in temps in the 100s every single day!!!
Jesse, I do love your photos! What a beautiful part of the country you live in. Keep 'em coming!
Jesse, I am blown away by your photos, these are spectacular. I have always wanted to get up to Alaska, and you have only confirmed that! Thank you, those were really wonderful.
Hope you found your snowshoes!
Oh my gosh I would love to visit your area! Sooooooooo gorgeous!
I just looked out my window and realized it is still dark. Just a couple of weeks ago the sun would have been peeking in.
It is fall.
Snowing Jesse? Say it ain't so..... The photos of your autumn are wonderful. Have a great Wednesday
I want to come and have you take me on an Alaskan photo expedition! Spectacular photos and colors Jesse. Thank you.
You always get some great shots. These are no exception. Everything is still green here with a slight color change starting up.
I was in your great state last weekend and I was stunned at how God had splashed color and beauty all over
Begin each day as if it were on purpose,
Paul
Awesome photos! We're just now getting to fall here in Austin!
Jesse...
You know that I love to hear your tales from the north. And the photography is stunning. Now, the only thing that can make this even better is for you to give us reports on a regular basis.
We NEED your perspective around here, my friend!
These are fantastic photos. I also like how you have so many scenic photos on right side of your blog.
Jesse - Does this mean you are FINALLY back from that outrageous, decade long vacation that you guys took????? OMG - those pics are amazing - seriously! Fall has start to creep into NC as well - not as dramatic quite yet but we'll get there!
Jesse, love these photos. When I was in Fairbanks during security reviews of NOAA's computer systems...it was the beginning of summer. Since it was daylight all the time we were there, we drove all over the place, at some fantastic food, and went to Denali National Park. I do remember stopping and enjoying a small picnic near some water. Took my tennis shoes off and waded in the water....oh, I remember it was so COLD. Didn't stay in too long. <smile>
your shots are beautiful. you should have jumped in to the nature and marketing contest, would have been the hands down winner. cheryl
Jesse, Darlin', allow me to be the first wiseacre to arrive at your party! We are getting up in years and time does fly, at our age, and with all of the fun you and Kathy have been having. I second Leesa's comment about your vacation! It felt like an eternity! And I also second her comment about the photos. Just lovely!!! Breathtaking, in fact. xxoo
I'm not going to say anything about AGE!!!!! It is nice of you to share your Autumn colors they are absolutely beautiful sir.
BTW, I hear that the older you get the less sleep you need, any truth to that rumor? Ok so I lied...
Beautiful shots. We so long for fall in Southeast Texas! But I'm a real wuss when it comes to the snowflakes. Anything under 65 degrees and I'm cold.
Jesse,
If all seasons were the same, all the photos would be the same...
Pretty photos, love the Fireweed, never seen that before. Yes the year is charging on by, it is even hard to wake up now it is dark at 6 when the alarm wakes us. In the summer we beat the clock on most days, but no more. So I shall embrace the season for it's stunning visual effects.
Beautiful pictures! Those are just amazing. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live back east with the true 4 seasons?
Hi, Jesse & Kathy - Missed you both when I was in Fairbanks for convention. Hope you were having lots of fun.
Jesse and Kathy,
And I thought it was beautiful in May when I was there. Great colors!
The photos make me want to move from the heat of Oklahoma to the cool of Alaska. Would you also please post pictures of very high snow drifts? It wouls keep the number of Realtors down in Alaska, me included. That leaves more for you!
That is a beautiful shot of Denali. When I visited everything was foggy, we could hardly see the mountain. This inspires me to take another trip up north!
These are beautiful photographs and thanks for sharing them. How did you add the photos to the right of your blog - that is a really nice feature!
Wow - what a beautiful place to be right now! Enjoy those amazing fall colors while you can, it's getting chilly here in Montana at night already as I'm sure it is there.
You tempt me to visit! Alas, not this year, but we have some splendor in Western North Carolina which can suffice until I get there to see yours. I may even bring my fly rod and test the fish in that stream!
We are so fortunate to live in a country so beautiful and have freedom to roam at any time we choose!!
Just gorgeous photos Jesse! Glad you are enjoying fall, the colors are just beautiful!
Jesse...I was up in your Great state in August. My time spent was fantastic! I wish I would have had time when I was in Fairbanks to visit with you and have a beverage or two, but we were in late and out very early.
Thanks for the pcis my friend. We were told how fantastic the colors were and wish we could have seen more.
Beautiful photos and they remind me of Finland so much. (homesick). Now, we just had snow here yesterday but no fall colors yet! ~Rita
Really stunning photos. We are enjoying an early snow fall in Colorado already. OK. I admit it. The 1st snowfall is hard, especially three days of it at the end of September. Time to roll up the hoses and pick up the shovels.
VERY rich colors Jesse. Thanks for those. Each one almost like a painting...
Jesse - Your photos are stunning. I thought we had dibs on autumn here in New England when it came to color but these shots are spectacular. So good to see you back in the "rain."
Your photos are beautiful and remind me of what a great trip we had to Alaska a few years ago. Wow - you are so lucky to have such beauty around you! We are still enjoying warm weather and the leaves haven't begun to change.
Our trip to interior Alaska and "off the beaten path" was one of the best trips we have ever had. Thanks for the pics. Folks, if you have never been to Alaska, do it, and don't just do a cruise. Fly to Anchorage, get a car, and go see the real Alaska, and spend at least two or three weeks doing it. Getting away from the packaged and milktoast vacation excursions and doing your own thing is the only way to fly.
Thanks again for the reminder on why I need to get back there.
Hi Jessie,
Oh my gosh, your photos are absolutely breathtaking, how wonderful! Thanks for the colorful visions. Are you back from vacation now? Seems like you're were vacationing for months, am I right?
Jessie & Kathy - All I can say is breath-taking and congrats on the Gold, let's keep this post alive!
Featured at one of my favorite groups....... EXPRESS WITH PHOTOGRAPHS AT ACTIVERAIN
VB;o)
Jessie & Kathy, my neighbor just got back from two weeks in Alaska with some great photos, but nothing at all like yours. WOW!
YIPPEE -- today is "two fer Thursday" on your blog. I just reported a "concern" (score 10 pts.) AND got to view some beautiful photos! THANKS!!
[hmmmm . . . time flies . . . must be due to their age]
:-)
Jesse - Lovely display of Denali's fall colors. Glad you had a brief Fall before snow flakes began to fall. I'm so not ready for the snow, but we won't likely see any around our corner of the world until end of November/ December. Hard to think about that today, when it's pushing 95 degrees!
Burr! Our daytime temps are still around 100 in Paso Robles, but that will be changing soon. Think we're having our last hot spell. Then it will be on to a real autumn. Thanks for the great photos!
Beautiful Photos... but you are right ...winter is coming... but you get it before us in Homer... at lease this year we had a gorgous summer and fall and pictures to prove it! How do you get those photos on the side... all of them are just raging beautiful shots!
Jessie and Kathy, beautiful photos. I need to make it to Alaska someday. It was in the low 90's here in New Orleans yesterday.
Jesse, I posted some foliage pix in the Express it with photos group, Your are amazing. We are expecting a 50% chance of snow tonight...here in the white mountains of NH.
Jesse,
I somehow managed to miss this post, just noticed it. You know I love your photos. I got a feeling that something has changed. Different camera, different lenses, or digital processing? Colors are very rich, and may even seem strikingly bright, but I have seen that, when you would think that it can't be true, and it is.
Just curious whether you have changed something
Hi Jesse and Kathy, what beautiful pictures. Love the landscape picture of Denali.