Fall At The Lake

We’ve had our first frost and several weeks of wonderful fall colors as the aspen and willow go through the change of yet another season. Another fierce windy day will remove any remnants of foliage left hanging around and the stark, bare branches of the aspen will remain that way until spring arrives once again. To the east the distant mountaintops are superbly capped in fresh snow. Right now, a burst of bright sunshine highlights the peaks and with the foothills still carrying the red, yellow and bright green of their deciduous foliage it’s a postcard perfect view from our lakeside deck.

Every so often during the day, a formation of swans pass close overhead preparing for a landing at Jackfish Bay or the more southern Shallow Bay. Their musical honking always seems more subdued during the fall migration compared to their lively and animate spring welcome but perhaps that is my imagination.

The water level of the lake is slowly receding and the boat is starting to look a little forlorn with the lengthening of the beach behind her. One more trip and it will be put away for another season.

It is time to fill the woodbin, the oil and the propane tanks. I am sure we will again have our share of winter power failures which means that kerosene and propane lanterns are filled and checked, new batteries are installed in the numerous flashlights and portable radios. All of the outside lights, electrical plugs and extension cords are tested and repairs carried out as needed.

We often fantasize about living in a country or part of the country where all of this ongoing seasonal preparation isn’t necessary. A place where no electrical cords hang from every vehicle grill, a place of no snow shovels or iced up windows. A place where the boating and barbeque season is perpetual and you don’t need three seasonal wardrobes.

“Yes”, we say in chorus but we both realize that it is nothing but a passing wish that we voice each fall. Time and again after a vacation in the land of whimsy, the flight home is the most looked forward to part of the trip. The ever-changing Yukon seasons with their unique and varied activities is something we all look forward to.