I am filled with an /Irrational Exuberance/ of optimism for the future!

It is Fall, which is easily the most beautiful season of the year at the Last Best Place, with of course the possible exceptions of Winter, Spring and Summer.  Golden colors.  Describing the air as crisp is absolutely meaningless ... until the moment you experience it.

The many accomplishments this year help very much with the atypical cheery disposition.  The roof is finally, finally, finally leak free!  The heat pump and adjoining water well, along with the new generator that kicks on automatically during a power outage can provide us grid free living .... at least until the propane runs out.  The Scamp upgrades us from tent camping to the albeit tiny mother of luxury camping.  Despite other shortages during the year, the Scotch, Rye whiskey and Cold Smoke supplies have been ample.

Additionally I still am able to get out for a run often.  Been busy with house projects that preempted consistent running, but am blessed with my 4 mile maintenance run to the Belton Bridge and back.  It's easy to be motivated for a run on such a beautiful route, and the last few days have not disappointed.

Saturday had some haze in the air, smoke from afar.  But the Middle Fork is glass.

View from under the bridge

Today was quite different.  Cold rain all morning, that broke about noon.  In the village snow is visible on Strawberry Mtn.

Better snow view, with Golden trees on the trail.

The Belton Bridge, framed in yellow.

Truly the Last Best Place ....

... in every direction

The golf course closed for the season yesterday.  On the run back I went thru the course with the view of Apgar Mtn, 2000 feet above, with the season's first dusting of snow.

Last. Best. Place. Ever!