Red Deer Log Cabins

But...they are indeed northern lights.  They don't behave like clouds.  Big display, just getting warmed up.  Covering about half the sky so far, north to west.

It's a very slow start to the colours season.  I heard some speculation that there would not be colours this year because of the drought; highly unlikely.  That is not how nature works. Trees will stop photosynthesizing and leaves will change colour as a consequence of their stopping production.  Surprise is that the change is starting so late. Stressed trees usually change earlier, not later.  So far though I see almost no change in the immediate landscape. Even the maple tree in the driveway is still green and it is often turning red mid August.  As usual, nature doesn't care what the calendar says, and works on its own schedule.  In the general landscape (along hwy 60) I saw about 10% change on Friday, with the show being more vibrant when heading west.  
Likely the big show will be at Thanksgiving this year; only time will tell.

Thanks to all of you who called instead of writing these past 11 days.  Back to normal (or at least as normal as it ever gets around here...)

Currently I have no computer (a second massive fail this season), so please CALL and talk to the answering machine if I am not immediately available.  I check for messages regularly.

Got in a bit of a twist up with a client the other day because he was going to hike into the forest south of here to fish in a lake.  Problem was he took offense to me suggesting it was unsafe to go into the woods with winds gusting to 50 km/h (said I was 'restricting him). Perhaps it is uncommon for a proprietor to look out for the safety of his clients;  I just know that locals get dead quick when a tree comes down on them.  People compulsively check phones and expect weather reports to be accurate to the hour, looking out for rain.  How could high wind be inconsequential?

It's supposed to rain soon too, so, with a little luck, we should be looking at a bumper crop.
There are lots of other foods to forage as well, some lovely salad greens in particular. Dandelion, sheep sorrel, Johnny Jump Ups, plantain, and purslane (which is better sauteed).

We are now having dew such that mushrooms are growing  Not a lot...but enough for a snack every day.  
Very quiet long weekend; the roads, the waterway, and the campground doesn't have a lot of campers.  Actually, everyone in the campground has been here before, so I have the usual happy people syndrome in full swing.  New people in the cabins, getting infected with the good feelings...