Our first visit to Walters Fruit Ranch in Green Bluff, Washington, near Spokane, was in the spring. The highlight was their peach iced tea, made fresh from peaches grown in their own orchard. It was incredibly delicious and left a memorable impression. During that trip, we sampled several peach varieties, carefully choosing our favorites before purchasing some to take home. While exploring, I also noticed the ranch’s extensive apple orchard and made a mental note to return in the fall for apple picking.

Mount Shuksan and Picture Lake in the Fall

I was staring at Mount Shuksan. The jagged peaks were stunning, and perfectly reflected in Picture Lake. And I realized that the battery in my camera was dead.

Scott and I had arrived Picture Lake in the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forrest shortly after lunch. I knew the afternoon light would be better for what we wanted to photograph, so we took our time getting there. We made our coffee, packed a lunch, and double checked our overnight reservation. There was no rush.

When we got there, the view was spectacular! I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough, and my camera came out immediately. A handful of shots later, my battery was DEAD.

Early Morning Autumn at Tipsoo Lake

I love fall color. We start seeing the maple trees turn red in mid-August. By the end of September, the trees by our road have turned a golden yellow and fall un underway.

We’re not quite there yet, but Saturday Scott and I decided to try and find some fall color. So we headed for a favorite spot in higher elevation that we hoped would give us some great views. We left our house in the dark; coffee in hand; planning to arrive around sunrise and capture the early morning light at Tipsoo Lake.

I love to be at Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park at first light.

On this particular morning, I got up a couple of hours before sunrise and made the trip by myself. It was the middle of the week, and I was hoping to see some fall color, Mount Rainier (of course), and hopefully fewer people..  The skies were crystal clear blue, and it was looking to be a beautiful day. My first stop of the day was Reflection Lake.

Fall is here! Well almost. While I can’t say that I look forward to the gray skies that seem to come with it too often in the PNW, there are lots of things that I absolutely LOVE about fall.

The parks, the waterfront, and my neighborhood. These are places I enjoy in my hometown all year, but in the fall, they really put on a show.

The golden maples were stunning as we drove the winding road on the way to our destination. Even if the view we were hoping to see was blocked by clouds when we arrived this drive alone was making the trip well worth it.

Scott and I were traveling on Forest Road 23 on our way to Takhlakh Lake, and maybe a little side trip to Twin Falls. I couldn’t wait to see these places with fall color after visiting them earlier in the summer. We had a full day planned for what looked like could be the last sunny day of the fall.

I was staring at the stunning Mount Shuksan perfectly reflected in Picture Lake when I realized that the battery in my camera was nearly depleted, and I didn’t have a backup.

One of my favorite places to eat breakfast is at Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park.

On this particular morning, I had made the trip by myself in the middle of the week hoping to see some fall color and of course – Mount Rainier.  The skies were clear blue, and it was going to be a beautiful day.

Fall is here! While I can’t say that I look forward to the gray skies that seem to come with it too often in the PNW, there are lots of things that I absolutely LOVE about fall.