The day started out rainy and raw as we headed toward the mountains for the week end... but somehow, the colors of the trees held promise - as even in the darkness of that dreary day - there was a sharp vibrancy - as if the trees were saying their last goodbyes - in a flaming explosion of colors...
The sun came in and out as we headed north... and we chanced a hike to the top of Caterskills Falls... which was brimming over with water... the trail was rocky and covered in leaves... but fun none the less!

After we checked into our favorite, cozy B&B - we headed out for somemore glimpses of fall...

Here's a Graveyard - that just was SOOO beautiful!
We had to stop and take a walk through it... okay... maybe it was a little creepy - especially just days before Halloween... but it was FUN... hahah... we put the 'fun' in funeral that day.... (booooooo)
The next day was ALLLLLL rain, so we hid out by the wood stove at night, and played more music... but on Sunday morning... we awoke to a beautiful - if not very COLD morning... and headed up to Vromin's Nose for a brisk, steep hike to the top of the hill...

The winds were howling - and the trail was wet, leafy, root entwined and rocky... which added to the sport of it! The view from the top was breathtaking - despite how many times I've taken in that view... it never fails to move me... and the dark woods - ah, those deep, dark woods that lead down off the trail were enchanting and spectacular... but then, I've always had a "little red riding hood' fascination with deep, dark woods...
and wolves... yeah, wolves too... but we didn't see them... oh well! It was a fantastic trip - and good to get back to what I love... the mountains and the woods... which just adds to my kindling box of ideas for songs... and after this trip, I'm ready to build a bon fire of a song! We drove home and stopped for this quick picture... it was like the icing on the cake... if this doesn't bring the feeling of fall to you... I don't know what would! Happy Halloween!




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The perfect fall day arrived! A fall music session and dinner - at Mitch & Kelly's beautiful, wooded home, began with the orange October sun, shining through the rich colored, Autumn leaves.

The air was deliciously scented with the fragrance of grilled and roasted veggies, fruit, pork, brisket, chicken and all sorts of roasting delicacies! It was a feast of divine degree! Music filled the air through out the day, drifting on the autumn breeze as the leaves lightly drifted around... tunes were exchanged, laughter rang out through the woods, endless conversations of friends catching up with friends - who don't always get to visit with each other... and well, the day couldn't have been more perfect!
Ahhh!

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The weather turned cool.. finally feels like Fall!!!

The folks who turned up for our regular Tuesday evening session at St. Stephen's Green, were in for a great treat when Tony Horswell came walking in from the Spring Lake train station, to thrill us with his beautiful and lively fiddling!

As always, I was thrilled to be able to play fiddle with Tony - a little nervous - yes, at first - but Tony's kind and easy manner put me quickly at ease! I don't know why I get nervous... I guess because I admire his fine fiddling so much... and I wanted to do my best... but anyway... enough of that... The evening was a TOTAL BLAST and everyone had a great time. Below is a sound clip from last night's fun - a slow reel called "Lads of Laois" -
Lads of Laois from Session
Playing is Tony & Jennifer on fiddles, Bob Higgins on guitar, Phil and Noreen on Irish whistles - and who, by the way, gave us another pleasant surprise... Noreen showed up with her friend - travelling down here to the Jersey shore because she said she just NEEDED to play, and all the way from Yonkers! We love Noreen and it's always wonderful to have her come play tunes with us! There's also a few pictures in our Photo Gallery of the evening... so check them out too!

Here's another short clip of another reel - Silver Spear... Tony & Jennifer on Fiddles, Phil on Uilleann Pipes, Bob on Guitar, Noreen playing Irish Whistle and Tim on Bodhran
Silver Spear sound byte
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