It has been many years since I have had my “fall foliage color” fix. I took for granted, as a child, the blazing colors of fall in Southern Ontario. Maples, birch, ash and others turn to red, orange, purple, gold and even lemon-lime. What an exquisite scene.

I could not make it make to Ontario, so southeastern Oklahoma was the answer.  Driving the 57-mile Talimena trail between Mena, Arkansas and Talihina, Oklahoma was quite an experience. The stunted red oaks on top of the trail were brilliant red. Sweetgum, blackjack oak, elm and hickory added shades of orange and gold. Red Virginia creeper climbed up tall green pines. The view from the mountaintops where there was not fog, because of the rain, was beautiful.

Down in the valley, there were stands of wild asters and goldenrod providing more color. As we crossed the Red River and returned to our great state, all was green. Maybe we too, will have beautiful fall foliage this year as well. I can only hope.