Fall in Michigan

It was a cool summer this year in Michigan, but it has been long. It's been in the 70's and sometimes the 80's all the way through September. You just didn't think about summer ever ending. The days did get shorter and now that it's officially Fall (and the nights are longer than the days) I can't really do my Tuesday night bike ride in the city any more. It just gets too dark especially if it is cloudy at all. My garden and trees look ragged like there is some kind of insect or disease working on them. But it's just a case of lack of sun. Thursday it got down to the 30's and I had to scrape my windows before I could drive to work. (The plants all survived.)

We have a tentative route for PALM 2010: South Haven, Otswego, Hastings, Eton Rapids, Grass Lake, Milan, and Erie Metro Park (actually the school across the street from Erie Metro Park). Beth Best, our new vice chair in charge of sites, has contacted all the schools and they seem receptive. There could still be site changes: we've had years where we've had to change 4 of the sites for various reasons. So don't make those reservations at the Ritz Carlton's along our route just yet.

Fall is the best season in Michigan. It's more consistently warm than the spring but not too hot to enjoy being outside. You are prepared for any outside activity because you've had the whole summer to get in shape. You have the last burst of color from every plant and tree and the golden fall light to see them in. Winter is still far enough away not to dread it. Things are settling down into a routine but fall allows you to appreciate every good day instead of taking it for granted. You can still do everything you want to do, like take a long bike ride, even though you may have to do it on a weekend. Enjoy the fall: can those tomatoes, make that pesto. And remember that the 2010 PALM application will be there in January to rescue you from winter.