This is my first autumn living in Los Angeles in over 30 years. While the sun still shines bright through palm trees and glitters off the ocean, I have to admit there actually is a change occurring....the air is cooler at night. Reading all the posts by my east coast friends about the gorgeous weather and fall color, made me curious about what fall "looked" liked in LA. So yesterday while I was out antiquing I took a few photos. As in most cities I found garden centers delightfully overflowing with pumpkins, (oh good, at least I can have my traditional jack-o-lantern!) hay bales, and cornstalks and, believe it or not, a tree here and there with a leaf changing color.
While I have to admit that the coastal communities of Southern California don't get much fall color, I do have distinct childhood memories of fall growing up here. My grandparents bought a cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains when I was one year old and I grew up with four seasons at "the cabin". The drive up to the mountains from the valley was spectacular to me every single time regardless of the season or time of day. As we left the cotton fields, grape vineyards and fruit orchards on the valley floor we entered the foot hills where oak trees began to appear on ranches of grazing cattle, then as we got higher in elevation there were pine trees among the ever growing hills and and granite outcroppings with their natural springs reminding us that hikes to "our" waterfall and a dip in the pools of California Hot Springs were to be a part of our adventure. Although I love all of the Sequoia National Forest, I have a fondness for Pine Flat, the little village up the hill from the hot springs, where I had the privilege to grow up hiking and exploring.
We enjoyed a bit of mountain fall color in the fall but the weather was still pleasant enough to go swimming at the hot springs. I am so nostalgic about California Hot Springs!
Usually joined by my many siblings and cousins, we had a blast splashing and swimming for hours, in spite of the oh-so-uncomfortable "bathing caps" that girls were required to wear back then. Sadly, the resort was destroyed by fire in 1968 and abandoned for 16 years. Thankfully, in 1985, Ron and Mary Gilbert rebuilt it in time for me to raise my children, and now grandson, swimming in the hot springs when we visit the cabin. Several years ago now, we even celebrated Grandma's 80th birthday there.
So you see, we do have autumn in California!
Meanwhile, just over 2 hours south in Los Angeles, where palm trees and sunsets reign, you can still find little reminders that fall is upon us. Even in L.A. fall is what you make it. So go bake an apple pie and get out and enjoy the weather. Check out these yummy recipes and fun fall exhibits.
