That sweet scent reminds me of pumpkins, Halloween, and trying to bury my sister in piles of leaves on our Midwestern lawn. It was the middle of the afternoon when we were walking, but I had to wear a polartec jacket the entire time. The wind worked its way through the fabric, making me wish I wore more than a t-shirt beneath. By the end, I was thoroughly chilled, and I craved a hot drink from the Ahwahnee, but settled for Hot Apple Cider from Degnan's. The paper cup felt warm and comforting as I wandered beneath the oaks in Yosemite Village.
Autumn is a time for slowing down the pace of life.
As night falls earlier each night, and temperatures drop, a quiet restfulness settles in. I saw that quietness in the tourists yesterday. Fewer people visit the park in autumn. And this time of year tends to bring out visitors who realize the value of wilderness, quiet spaces and wildlife. We're just a week away from November, when the park becomes downright desolate during the weekdays.