October - An Ode to Beauty

Maple Pass Loop Trail, North Cascades, WA

“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.”
– Alexander Smith

I must admit that the more October days I spend in the Pacific Northwest's forests and mountains, the more I fall in love with its colorful beauty.  It is not only the heartwarming yellows, golds, oranges and reds that impress me, but the ever so soft sunrays that no longer burn the skin and instead just warm the body in their loving embrace.

“It must be October, the trees are falling away and showing their true colors.”
– Charmaine J Forde

Smiles and Golden Larches, Maple Pass Loop Trail, North Cascades, WA

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L. M. Montgomery

Maple Pass Loop Trail, North Cascades, WA

Beside the dazzling display of the color changing leaves that brings joy to the lovers of Octobers, there is another priceless treasure that becomes abundant this time of the year - the mushroom! If you like hunting these beauties, you know how exciting it is to get lucky and find them.

"Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom."
- Thomas Carlyle

Xerocomellus chrysenteron, formerly known as Boletus chrysenteron.

“If you feel all damp and lonely like a mushroom, find the thick, creamy soup of joyfulness and just dive into it in order to make life tastier”
― Munia Khan

Ramaria araiospora, commonly known as the red coral.

"Life is too short to stuff a mushroom."
- Shirley Conran

Not sure what type of mushrooms these were but I was touched by their natural beauty nonetheless.

Sometimes getting to the secret places the mushrooms like to hang out is not that easy.  A healthy amount of balance and good traction are required. Isn't it the case for most things in life that are worth our while?

Balance and good traction required

A Log Crossing Along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail, WA

No matter where you decide to go, as long as it is somewhere outside, it will be worth it since our Octobers make the outdoors as vibrant as if one were looking through a pair of rainbow colored glasses.

“In October, a maple tree before your window lights up your room like a great lamp. Even on cloudy days, its presence helps to dispel the gloom.”
— John Burroughs

Liquid Amber Along the Sammamish River Trail, Redmond, WA

"The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here’s to October…"
– A.A. Milne

Freshly squeezed Granny Smith apples, carrots, beets, celery, lemon and spinach juice.

Cheers!