one perfect day

to sightly misquote one of my favorite authors*  this day had about it the "patina of a perfect thing"  and I want to remember it always

to start the weather was as glorious as only a fall day in the Colorado Rockies can be.  perfectly clear deep deep blue sky.  temperature in the low 80-'s with a slight breeze.

We drove (top down in the z3 of course)  up to eldorado springs and took a hike on one of the trails in the canyon. lovely trail, npt too strenuous, dappled sun and shade lots of lovely lichen covered boulders to rest on when the need arouse.  aspen trees starting to color in the high country.  gorgeous views. after hiking down we sat by the river and had a lunch--salami and cheese sandwiches, grapes and apples  but with the added savor of appetite and the beauty of a rocky Mountain trout stream --aaahhhhh.  then I took off my shoes to wade a bit ( and quickly put them back on--wet shoes being a smaller  price to pay than bruised feet!!!--or slipping on the rocks and totally falling IN the water) Seymour waded across and then took a nap while I savored the river for a bit

I do so love everything about a rushing stream.  I think it may be that some of my most cherished childhood memories were of a family cabin in the utah rockies--where a rocky rushing stream figured very large. but  I felt  so lovely and spiritual and even joyfully tearful sitting a on a big rock in the middle of a small waterfall with my feet in the water!  something about the sound and the light--I don't know....but I love it.

after leaving Eldorado we took the scenic route home --and I do mean scenic--through golden gate canyon state park--up above 10,000 feet  and the aspens up that high are in glorious full fall color.  just breathtaking.  then down through the little gambling towns of Black Hawk and Central City where we stopped for soda and Ice cream and the woman behind the counter came straight out of central casting for colorful characters--cigarette hanging from her lip, raspy voice and rode hard/put up wet quality to boot--too awesome!!!!

"oh what is so rare as a day in *September*, then, if ever, come perfect days!!!! " and it was.

(we took a camera but took very few pictures--I'll try and add a couple when I get them off Seymour's camera.)

*the quote is from " Hill Towns" by Anne River Siddons and the quote is actually"...that meal has still about is the patina of a perfect thing"   and is referring to a dinner in Rome