Hey, do I get a prize for posting the 100th post on this thread?! Soooo pretty in north Florida today. I'm off to Italy on Tuesday -- hope it's as nice there!

Hi Mary Fran...
Pleasant memories of Salamanca! Yes, an old city with a golden hue. We were there some years ago studying St. Teresa of Avila and mysticism so were connected with the university. Traveled a bit to Segovia, Avila, etc.

So why are you there...studying English I suspect.
Ozarks Bill

Thanks so much for asking, Scarlett! DH and I are happily ensconsed in our hotel in AMSTERDAM! It's after midnight here, but my internal clock is still set on CA time, making it difficult to sleep. Our little hotel has an in-house laptop that is lent to guests, so I thought I'd see what's happening on the board.

This is our first trip to Amsterdam, and I'm in love with the beauty of the city, the genuine friendliness of the people,and the food. Ah, the food! I
had the very best dinner of my entire life at a restaurant we just happened upon. Entree was "steak of deer," as described by the waiter. Will post details and a picture after we return. On to Berlin by train tomorrow.

So sorry to hear about fires in CA. Any rain in the forecast?

Hi all,

I'm in Auburn, CA - about 40 miles from Sacramento. Oh God, it's so smoky here, it looks like heavy fog looking down the street. I don't know the temps, as I have avoided going outside due to the smoke.

I don't know about precipitation, but they're talking about "winds cooling down the area" which frightens me when thinking about the flames.

This too shall pass!

Other than that, leaves are beginning to turn on the Japanese Maple outside & the rest of town. Slowly but surely. Still, it's been in the 80's (or so) for the past few weeks. Don't think Mother Nature got the news that everyone else thinks it's Autumn.

Scarlett when you started this thread I was midway across the Atlantic -- so this does count as a travel thread.

Was flying Lyon-Montreal in fact. Overcast the whole way.

On the drive from the airport, the air was warm and the colours were at their peak. Lousy and overcast today though...

I love this, South Africa,Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, St Eustatias, all over the US and so many Californians ~ Betsy in Amsterdam, tedgale flying home, leaves and no leaves, hot and cold, although I am sure we all wish there was no fire anywhere!!
It has cooled down in Jax, quite a bit..in the 40's they say tonight! I will get to wear a sweater !!(jumping up & down)
Wishing all you dear Fodorfriends a lovely weekend, wherever you are...
so where are you?

I am in Stowe Vermont and it is beautiful!!
The mountains are ablaze with color...deep reds, orange and gold. The air is crisp and smells of wood burning chimneys. This is a picture perfect place to spend a fall day.

sitting at open window with very cool valencia spain air. our temps have dropped about 10 degrees this evening.

was watching the pre-regattas for the america's cup down at beachside today.
sunny but cooling off. if we don't lose the sun we are fine...

Friday afternoon, air is less smoky, sounds like fires have been gotten under control. But, air here is really muggy and hot. In one word "yucky".
Vacaville CA had a horrible summer in my opinion (many here agree). Everything from 105 degrees to other days with terrible winds and of course this last week with the fires and smoggy gaggy weather.
It is strange because the local TV station says it is only 87 degrees and humidity is only 30. Hard to believe.
Reminds me of Florida with heat and high humidity (sorry Scarlett!).
I stayed home this summer for the first time thinking I would just enjoy being in Vacaville. Was that ever a big mistake!
Need to get to out of here. But can't because the repairs to my deck that were just completed was not signed off by the city so workman have to come back again! Oh sigh. But life goes on. Happy weekend everyone.

LoveItaly - I hope that pesky desk gets repaired pronto!!!

I am glad the fires are under control.
Happy Friday to you and all!

Hve a safe and fabulous weekend!
Anne

It's 7 am Saturday morning here in Duri, Indonesia. As usual, it's overcast and really, really humid. No smoke though, which is always a good thing (the Nationals are burning the forest to plant palm oil trees).

We're only 4 degrees north of the equator, so no seasons here, unless you consider "rainy" and "dry" seasons. In which case, it's the "rainy" season.

Not an autumn event, but Ramadan began yesterday.

Sure miss Colorado this time of year..

Melnq8, are you missing Kuwait?
Nice to hear from you

Hi Scarlett! No, can't say I'm missing Kuwait much.

I do miss the ease of getting out of Kuwait though.... it's rather difficult to get in and out of Duri, which is going to make travel more of a challenge.

Hope all are having a great weekend. Very smokey today here in Reno..Big fire in Kybers..off highway 50 and 88..between Tahoe and Sacramento. Must be the way the wind is blowing..no sun, just smoke. We had a couple of huge fires here this summer, one really bad in Carson City..houses burned and the whole thing so I'm not happy with all the smoke back in the air and certainly am praying for the firefighters and the people who's homes are in the immediate area. Hope Vacaville fire gets put out very soon. I'm really hoping for a wet winter.

Another Chicago report. Yesterday was cold and rainy, but today reminds me why I love it here. It is cool, about 50, but sunny and smells like fall. The trees are changing and the colors along with the blue sky and crisp air make it a perfect fall day. The dogs have their leashes and we are on our way out. Tonight We'll make our first fire for the season along with some wine I just brought back from Italy,(had to make a europe reference). Doesn't get much better than this.

Hello!!
Edmonton Alberta Canada again.
(we're about 330 miles north of Kalispell Montana, as the crow flies).

The predictions were right on - this morning everything is white - covered with a deep layer of wet snow (3 to 4 inches), temp is only 30F (-1C).

"Oh the weather outside is frightful. . . but the fire is so delightful. . . let it snow!!! "

By the way, there was the beginning of a fall festival of sorts here yesterday - a cattle drive (100 head of Texas longhorns??) through the streets of downtown Edmonton - for the upcoming agricultural festival and rodeo. It was fun to watch, cowboys, horses and cattle, plus the motorcycles of the police - and the weather was still autumn-like then, cool but pleasant. This was followed by a huge BBQ in the newly finished (for Edmonton's 100th birthday) Sir Winston Churchill Square (dedicated a week ago by the grandaughter of the great man himself).

I thought this was an old thread too so didn't respond right away. Oops.
Living in Lexington, South Carolina (outside of Columbia) for the last 11 years. Originally from Iowa (cant' believe westportgal actually misses Iowa City as good old Muscatine doesn't draw me back often). Have also lived in Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois and both northern and southern California over the years - hubby was in the military.
The weather here in South Carolina is wonderful, low 70's during the day and 40's at night. Mostly pine trees, which don't change color, but the mountains are beautiful. Many local festivals all year round in this area and just returned from a local Octoberfest and attend the Greek Festival a few weeks ago.

What a great thread.

Borealis,
I'm enjoying reading about the cattle drive. I reckon that is something we will never ever see in the streets of Victoria.

Winston Churchill's granddaughter was there? Did you go - how was it, how'd she look and how did such a square come about in Edmonton?

I think the Yolo/Napa counties are undercontrol and contained because when I woke up this morning in Vacaville I actually saw blue sky!!!
Now, oh sigh, it is cloudy and very windy (hope the wind doesn't fan what is left of the fire).
Crefloors I really feel for you in Reno with smoky air. Am sure South Tahoe is terrible, right?? I know part of HWY 50 was closed. And the Carson City fire was terrible. Very famaliar with that area (my DH had been born in Mason NV, are you famaliar with it. Former mining town just south of Yerington (sp?).
Maybe it is my imagination but seems as though the fire situation this season as been especially bad.
We too are praying for rain. Will sure help clean things up.

LoveItaly: yes I know the area your husband is from although haven't been out there for awhile. I used to go out that way for business quite a bit several years ago..so pretty but so land locked. Since leaving Marin 28 years ago, I still miss the ocean and the lake just doesn't make up for it. Yea..it's dry, dry , dry all over the west. The indians do a snow dance every year but for the last several years, the gods don't seem to be listening. Cross you fingers.