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Re: Re: Re: Re: Seasons... easy to take for granted!
All the evergreens dominating the forests really do make a significant difference. In the NW rainforests and mountain sides, it is always a dark field with a few patches of color. In New England, it is an ocean of fire with the occasional dark patch. I have a dream/goal of walking in a New England forest in October, immersed in all that color. Camera in hand, of course.
posted by
Ciel
on January 11, 2013 at 10:31 AM
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Re: Re: Re: Seasons... easy to take for granted!
Well, Ciel, those differences sound only slight to me. I think a full range of explosive colors can probably be viewed on either coast. The only real difference, as you've said, are the types of foliage themselves. During any given Fall, it's all spectaculer, so it probably doesn't really matter! 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 9, 2013 at 1:29 PM
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Re: Re: Seasons... easy to take for granted!
The difference is the balance of evergreens to deciduous trees. An autumn mountainside is mostly dark green with the occasional flare of a gorgeous vine maple, or even better, several in a patch. In Colorado, in the Rockies, there are full groves of aspen in yellows, orange and peach among pines and rocks. In the Eastern Woodlands, it is an ocean of flame, whole forests of color!
posted by
Ciel
on January 9, 2013 at 1:06 PM
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Re:
That's true, TAPS. Not everyone has the time or the means to do a lot of extensive traveling, so a video visual is probably the next best thing. My wife and I have also seen some amazing images on the National Geographic channel, as well as on other nature programs, things that we would probably never have the opportunity actually to see. It's nice to experience some of these things in person, but when you can't . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 1:52 PM
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In my 75 years, I've been so many places and experienced so many things that I am amazed that there are more places and things that I have not seen, than those I have. Now that I don't wish to travel anymore, I am so thankful for TV programs and DVD's made by PBS, National Geographic, and other amazing availabilities.
posted by
TAPS.
on January 8, 2013 at 12:47 PM
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Re:
That's the way I see it, Sam. There are still many things I have never experienced in my life that might be second-nature to someone else. I guess if one wants to make their life really complete, you should try to experience it all . . . if you can!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:19 AM
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Re:
Perhaps they did, mariss. But experiencing an ocean for the first time was probably a bigger thrill for them. Splashing around in Lake Michigan might be a good time, but it just doesn't compare to the majesty of the Atlantic Ocean!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:16 AM
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Re: AMong other things...
Yes it does, Naut, especially if there are any rocks in the vicinity. If you want to relax . . . really relax . . . pull up a beach chair near the water's edge, sit back, close your eyes, and let Mother Nature lull you to sleep. There's nothing better!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:14 AM
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Re: Jimmy
You're right, Naut. There is a big difference between lake waves and ocean waves. Personally, I very rarely ever get to a lake, but with the Atlantic ocean so close, there almost seems no need to. Casually strolling the beach with my wife is something we look forward to every year.
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:12 AM
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Re: another great post dear Friend...I too grew up near beaches and
That's good, Kabu. Yeah, a huge river might be nice, but there's nothing like the expanse of a great ocean, the seabirds flying lazily overhead, the crashing of the waves on the rocks, the numerous shells washing up on the beach. It's something everyone should experience at least once in their lives!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:09 AM
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Re:
There can't be too many, FSI. I think the only one I may not have ever experienced might be the extreme aridness of a desert. Not that I would necessarily want to experience that . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:07 AM
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Re: Seasons... easy to take for granted!
You're amongst the lucky ones, Ciel, to have been able to not only experience all of the changes of the seasons, but to have had access to an ocean as well. And I would have assumed ( I know . . . a dangerous word ) that the explosion of Fall colors would have been as spectacular in the Pacific Northwest as they are in the Northeast. What might be actually different? 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:05 AM
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Re:
I can't blame you there, lustor. My parents retired to Florida to get away from the cold, which is no friend to our bones as we age! Personally, I don't mind the cold ( for now ), but I can do without the snow and ice! And I assume you've had your share of "beach frolicking" as well. It's hard to imagine someone having never seen or been to an ocean, isn' it?
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 7:01 AM
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Re:
Thanks so much, Sinome. I do take great pride in everything I write and present. I'm glad you liked this piece. So how about you? Are either snow or the oceans foreign to you by any chance?
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 6:57 AM
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Re:
Well, C C T, she may not have been "mad," but she was obviously giddy with joy at her new-found discovery. Frozen flakes of water that fall from the sky! What a unique concept! But I'll wager that, after living in it for a few winters and having to shovel and drive in it, the novelty will wear off rather quickly!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 6:54 AM
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Re:
See, adnohr? Like I said, it's easy to take certain things for granted, and sometimes it's actually fun to see people experiencing something for the first time that had become so natural for you. So, how was their snowball fight?
posted by
JimmyA
on January 8, 2013 at 6:51 AM
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What you say is so very true! Growing up I lived near the Canadian border and it was amazing the number of people in my area who had never gone the few miles to see another country! Nothing should be taken for granted as you say! sam 
posted by
sam444
on January 7, 2013 at 8:50 PM
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It sounds wonderful to have grown up near a beach. I got crazy and drove 7 hours on some weekends,. many twice, just to travel to Lake Michigan when I lived in that area, but about 3 1/2 hours away. Life was strange then, and I allowed eccentricity with the Sand Dune visits as an escape for one summer, only I like cold or cool water now in the Summer for the most part. Too bad the girls didn't know about them. 
posted by
mariss9
on January 7, 2013 at 7:15 PM
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AMong other things...
The water sounds different...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 7, 2013 at 6:14 PM
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Jimmy
That brings to mind the difference between a Big Lake, as in the Great Lakes, and the ocean. Having spent time at as well as on both, there's an amazing difference that's hard to describe in a few words. Even here on Lake Ontario I have encountered 15 foot waves on my sailboat, but they not like 15 foot waves on the Atlantic, let alone 30-footers, LOL...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 7, 2013 at 6:13 PM
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another great post dear Friend...I too grew up near beaches and
love the Ocean ...LOL. now living inland I miss that....except that we have the huge Ottawa river and I do still get to the Ocean.
posted by
Kabu
on January 7, 2013 at 12:15 PM
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Like you I've seen snow every year of my life and live about three hours away from the Ocean. I wonder what weather types I have not seen.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on January 7, 2013 at 9:54 AM
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Seasons... easy to take for granted!
I was in Northern California from age3-6, and remember worrying how Santa could get to us at Christmas when there was no snow for his sleigh. The next 11 year, it was New York and New Jersey, and plenty of snow for Santa, countered by tropical summers, hot and humid. Between, the long spring and fall.
When I moved to the Seattle area, the long spring, the colorful fall got left behind: winter rain and idyllic summers are the pattern there. I missed the 4-season year. Especially, the fall colors of the Eastern Woodlands.
posted by
Ciel
on January 7, 2013 at 8:56 AM
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having lived almost all my life on the coast of CA I too hadnt really experienced snow, until I was 67 years old and moved here, I cant say that I like or dislike it but the cold that goes with it I dont like
posted by
Lanetay
on January 7, 2013 at 8:51 AM
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I love the way you write, the way in which you invite your reader to experience your experiences... Great work! xoxoxo
posted by
Sinome
on January 7, 2013 at 8:29 AM
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I remember 47 jimmy it was really snowy here there were still quite a few yanks as we called them and they were billeted in houses in the villages. I was amazed to watch the wives having a snowball fight. One woman said they had not seen snow before. I remember her saying I love this. We were frozen and had just fixed chains on the van wheels. I thought she was mad.
posted by
C_C_T
on January 7, 2013 at 8:16 AM
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I was 21 before I saw the ocean. I imagine my frolicking was amusing too - I loved it immediately. I was also present when Cuban friends arrived in Canada in the middle of winter, and it was my turn to be amused as I watched them play in the snow.
posted by
adnohr
on January 7, 2013 at 8:09 AM
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