As a Lake Tahoe lifer, I thought I’d seen it all, as if that could ever really happen. While I was up for my early dose of autumn crimson and gold the first week of October, a client that sells my children’s books mentioned groves of Aspen trees to explore. Thank you very much, Barb Van Maren of Sugar Pine Gifts in Kings Beach!
Off I ventured, Nikon strapped around my neck, hubby behind the wheel so I could hang out the passenger window and shoot away. HWY 287 to Truckee was on the list after a dash along the north shore of Tahoe. And what did my wandering eyes spy ~ the goldmine of Aspen groves, fluttering in an alpine breeze, beckoning.
It was perfect weather for a shoot, overcast skies hovered above the amber fairy-like trees pirouetting in an autumn ballet, toe shoes turning before the first snow fall. In the center grove, tucked obscurely behind the troupe of dancers, stood a dilapidated one room home. Worn red paint had all but been absorbed by the warped wooden planks that were still standing. A creaking, sagging roof offered sanctuary to the remaining framework and hollow interior. The Aspens surrounded the lone dwelling, on the edge of the evergreen forest.
I shot over two hundred pictures of fallen dusty white tree trunks, branches bare, butterfly leaves already carpeting the ground under my feet.
The stark scent of pine mingled in the air with a crisp snap of earth and wind, tingling the inside of my nostrils.
When the sun broke though at noon, we hiked back to the car and drove into to Truckee for lunch. My husband and I ordered bowls of homemade chili at the Wagon Train Coffee Shop and sat outside to relish the warming temperature. I reviewed each frame I’d shot between spoonfuls of spicy beans, diced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
The cloud cover moved in again and we headed back to the Tahoe cabin to toss a few logs on the fireplace grate, brew some coffee, stretch out on the sofa together and snuggle under quilts.
If you haven’t given Tahoe a try in the autumn months, think about it. There is more than summer swimming and winter skiing in those majestic mountains. A slower paced Fall fans her gown of many colors far and wide to delight the senses with an invitation to join the repertoire.
kathyboydfellure 