A tree line tinged in color at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in southeastern Minnesota.
AUTUMN GRIPS ME like no other season.
Autumn reveals herself in fields ripening along Rice County Road 24 between Faribault and Kenyon, Minnesota.
She draws me into fields drying in russet shades,
Maples are flaming, like this one alongside Minnesota State Highway 60 on the east side of Faribault.
to maples flaming red,
An idyllic rural scene of drying soybeans and gravel road just off Rice County Road 24.
to the aged scent of earth and fire,
Bins await the new crop.
to the hope of a farmer
Soybeans ripe for harvest in Rice County.
and the end of the growing season.
Days of cobalt blue skies or pressing grey give way to evenings that welcome the flicker of candles, apple crisp warm from the oven, sweaters pulled on.
Drying cornfields herald the arrival of Autumn in southeastern Minnesota.
These days, as my flip flops crunch upon fallen leaves, I long to hold on to Autumn, to yank her away from Winter’s pull.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Nailed it.
Thanks, Dan.
I am hanging onto my flip flops as long as I can. Lovely imagery both in pictures and words.
Thank you, Beth Ann.
Today I’m wearing a flannel shirt. And I’m barefoot.
Sigh… Autumn! I can also see how I am now in the “autumn” of life. Am I taking it slowly, reflecting in this time of tranquility and fleeting beauty, knowing the season of life called “winter” will be upon me shortly? May I be a keen student of life and it’s brief pleasures and beauties, as you are dear Sister-in-Law! Thank you for your journals, which are a blessing of meditation that keep me grounded in the simple life, as well as, connected to the real you, that I love.
We are truly sisters of the heart in introspection, reflection, faith and much more, aren’t we? Writers at heart. Loving the simple life.
You were right by our house when you took the picture of the trees in Nerstrand Woods State Park. We see the view from our house.
I didn’t know that’s where you lived. What a stunning view you have. Just gorgeous.
Everything about this post is beautiful, from the photography to the words beneath each photo! Love, love, love the 4th photo from the top, and that maple tree is stunning. I love fall, but you know me….winter is my next favorite, but I will wait and enjoy the “colors” for now. Happy October Audrey!
Oh, I did think of you when I wrote this post, Jackie, knowing your deep love for winter. I must try to embrace some of your perspective.
I agree that this post is beautiful. A visual poem.
Thank you. I like that: visual poem.
Thanks so much for sharing MN Autumn – Great Captures – I do miss the changing of colors 🙂 Happy Hump Day!
You are most welcome.
Oh My! Now you have me home sick! If you could somehow attached all the smells of autumn that would put the icing on the cake. Hummm Hightway 60 runs through my old home town of Mountain Lake, small world.
Hmmm, can’t quite do that, but happy my words and images created that response.
I know Mountain Lake. I lived in St. James for awhile and worked as a reporter for the Mankato Free Press. Mountain Lake was in the region I covered.
Wow, I used to read the Free Press and no doubt read some of your columns! We used to go to St. James for A&W Root Beer ahhhhhhh good times.
I was with the FREEP for about 18 months, until May 1982, when I married and moved to Faribault.
Your seasons are so distinct. I think if I sent you some images of our seasons it would be hard to pick the difference! I do hope the snow is a while off for you. Beautiful, emotive images, Audrey xx
I do appreciate our distinctive seasons here in Minnesota. Just not the length of the longest one, winter. We’ll probably get our first snow in November, although it could come yet in October.
Seems like only yesterday you had posted about the melting snow and farms coming to life as spring broke through. Now as autumn gives us her best show we just need to sit back and enjoy as long as we can.
That’s right. Enjoy as long as we can.
what wonderful snaps of autumn. i really love the barns! we are heading into Spring here so it is getting quite warm.
Thank you, Sherry. Heading into spring sounds lovely. Another welcome season here in Minnesota after our long winters.