Colors

Here in southern Wisconsin the leaves are starting to change color.

The past week brought cool evening temperatures.  Which signaled leaves to produce less chlorophyll (the stuff that makes leaves green) allowing carotenoid (makes yellow, orange, and brown) to be on display.

Some trees, like Maples, produce anthocyanin (red) which is only on display in autumn.

Thanks to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for help with technical terms.

When we lived up north, the first weekend of October became the time for an annual color trip.

As a financial representative for Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent Financial), I started organizing bus trips for clients and prospects 2 to 3 times a year.

My territory was in north Wisconsin, so early October is usually peak season for brilliant colors. Late season flowers, dark evergreens, and flaming Maples create quite a landscape.

Just thinking back to a few of those trips - we traveled north to Bayfield, Wisconsin (on Lake Superior) for a visit to an Apple Orchard and boat ride. Another year it was Hayward, Wisconsin to see the impressive Fishing Museum there.  Yet another year, we traveled south to Baraboo to see the Circus World State Museum and take a steam train ride at North Freedom.

The beauty of God's creation was the star of the show, as the colors grabbed our attention.  The deep blue water and sky, brilliant white clouds of fluff, golden yellows of corn ready to harvest, and the calliope of leaves playing across the hills.

While it's still a little too early for a color trip around here.  It won't be long until it is, and if you aren't ready you just might miss it.