From the southwest to the midwest. It’s a given that fall comes earlier to some areas faster than others. While we enjoyed a slow decline in morning temps in Goodyear, there were not all the outwardly signs of the slide into winter as we are currently beginning to note in northwest Indiana. I love the landscape of Arizona, the cactus, the beauty of sunrises and sunsets and I never tired of the artistic parks crafted with the perfect balance of sand, rock, and arid vegetation–there is an amazing variety of plants and trees in the desert. And so many hiking trails! There is a bounty of hiking trails for everyone from short to long or level to climb.
Now in Indiana, early October, and all the leaves are beginning to turn and are blowing in the wind. It’s been green and lush here all summer; no problem with water, it falls from the sky often! The creatures, however, not being scorpions and dragons are beginning to set themselves up for winter. It’s been a couple weeks since I’ve seen a doe and the groundhogs have become reclusive.
Walking my little dog, I’ve been treated to the chiding of a tree squirrel when Frosty and I got too close to her abode. And this snapping turtle, don’t ask me why he was basking in the middle of the road after having crawled laboriously from the pond adjacent. Obviously oblivious to the traffic, he was soaking up the sun (and hopefully drying out the algae on his back). 
I hope that wasn’t an amphibian hint it’ll be awhile before we see the sun and temps above 70 again!
PS: For those following my Pokémon GO progress, I’ve made Level 20 and now have caught 85 out of 147. Note to Grandson: Beat that, Buddy! ©2016 Virginia Williams
