Change is in the air.

Last week (October 11 and 12) I took a hike to Black Balsam in western North Carolina near Asheville. Climbing upward along the worn path I was filled with gratitude about being able to access such magnificent beauty with relative ease. On the first hike I was accompanied by Jane

and we made the excursion after work. One the second hike I was accompanied by Steve.

Color was everywhere. Russets, golds, reds, and deep yellows painted broad swaths from the base of the mountains to the top, the colors changing as a function of altitude and sunlight.

It is easy to embrace the change of seasons when it is hearlded by such fanfare.