Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

I kind of missed out on the fall colors this year. My partners in crime were indisposed with prior engagements, and hiking just isn't as much fun by my lonesome. When I was set and ready to catch the fall foliage on the golf course, Mother Nature threw in a monkey wrench with some ill timed snow-- I don't have snowshoes.

This particular Saturday was about the only day that was worth getting out of bed for... the sun actually decided to shine. I'd been spying this day on the forecast when Amy told me she would be free for a hike at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. I'd been to this park, but never hiked it or actually chose to enjoy it. Outings like these don't seem quite as much fun when you're a kid.

The leaves were past peak, but wonderful nonetheless. Golden hues from maples, rusty browns from oaks, and changing grasses made for some spectacular scenery.

The morning started out quite beautiful, but as time wore on, the clouds became thicker.

These two weren't taken in black and white nor filtered.

I usually don't do people: Ruttger's Oktoberfest '09

You may have heard of this little thing that Ruttger's does called Oktoberfest. In short, it's not a little thing. Oktoberfest is a three day celebration complete with more food than you can shake a stick at, over 150 vendors, and lots of beer and polka.

I'm not going to lie-- I had a sweet job this year. My mission: take pictures. Though I'm still not certain that I captured what the administration was looking for, I did have a ton of fun doing it. I struggle with having people pose, so I avoided that as much as possible. I can confidently say that out of around 700 pictures, at least 20 of them might be useable. It's a good thing that's not my batting average...

The food was phenomenal. A Terry Dox buffet comes highly recommended.

A vendor's apples tempted me...

Many talented people came to entertain young and old.

Concentration

A little frost on the pumpkin... if I had a pumpkin. (Bay Lake)

Every fall it seems like I put off what I enjoy most until it's too late. The shorter days and cooler temps bring color change, fog, and frost. Working at a resort, there are plenty of subjects and many opportunities to catch some interesting shots, but it seems that I never have my camera with me. Scraping my windshield this morning I had two realizations: I better get the car port cleaned so I don't have to scrape on too many more mornings, and I better take some pictures before all the leaves fall of the trees and the cold, dark, desolate winter is upon us. Though I didn't get too many leaf pictures (yet), I did manage to get some neat ones of the lake.

Bay Lake

I strongly encourage you to click the thumbnails. Bigger is better.

I a little too chilly for a dip