You’ll have to agree that so far we have really managed to avoid the dog days of summer. You know, those typical hot sultry August days. I suppose it’s more of a Southern occurrence although I remember some pretty humid hot days here in the past. Overall this has been a really pleasant summer weather wise. Seems like a lot more rain than usual. I measure that by how much the weeds grow and this summer they have been completely out of control. I finally gave up and will wait to burn them this winter or next spring. I’ve got other things to do.

Speaking of which, I got all 14 of the watercolors I did on my Return to the North Country ride matted and shrink wrapped so I can present them to the public now if you’d like to stop by and take a look. They are not for sale at this point as I am accumulating my paintings for a show this fall, but you can at least take a look.

The summer seems to be slipping by rather quickly doesn’t it? Although I’ve been getting some nice plein air paintings done while camping in our fair neck of the woods around here, I have always felt the fall season with the colors is the best time. I’m really looking forward to it this year as I’ll have more time to get out and about and take full advantage of these spectacular days that roll around once a year. I’m wonder with the wet summer we’ve had how it will influence the colors this year. Will they be more brilliant? Washed out and dead looking? Early or late? I was up in Ouray the other day and I saw the Cottonwoods along the road on the way just starting to turn.

I think I’ll go up on the Uncompahgre Plateau for the weekend and see what they are doing up there. Nothing quite as dramatic as seeing the first splash of yellow on an Aspen branch set off against all the surrounding green of the conifers. Maybe seeing the full complement of fall colors against the first snow of the season. I got that once up on the plateau and it made a spectacular scene.

OK. I suppose it doesn’t really matter. It’s all good. I’m going to kick off the official start of the season by going up to Jackson Hole for their Fall Festival of Arts. I used to live up there and Jackson has always held a special place in my heart. Some really nice country up that way. I used to be in a gallery up there and it’s time to go back and try to get established again.