Indian Summer is what we call the weather in the northern US, when you have a period of warm sunny days occurring after the first frosts and cool weather of autumn. It's like a return to summer, except the days are shorter, and the trees are in a blaze of colorful glory. Here in Michigan we're going into our second week of temperatures in the 70s and 80s, with cool nights, and foliage at its peak of color.

I went on a couple fun rides on my days off this week. The last ride ltook me away from home for more than six hours. However, total riding time was only 1 3/4 hours, and I only covered 16 miles in that time. The rest of the time I was taking some side trips on foot or just lazily sitting in some of my favorite spots to view the scenery. What a glorious day! My route was mostly on our Rivertrail, along three different rivers, a lake, a forest, and several ponds--all within the Lansing city limits.

I don't know why I'm posting this, other than to share my good fortune with you all. And maybe to gloat a little at those who are unfortunate enough to live inplaces that have no real seasonal weather changes.

We haven't had a frost yet, so it's not an official Indian Summer. But the days sure are nice, nonetheless.

I enjoyed the weather outside too. It was glorious! I had to rake some leaves (oh sure, they are pretty, but I hate raking) but then went on a nice spin around my favourite cemetery. I'm glad the weather will last the long weekend! It's Thanksgiving Day for us Canuckistanians on Monday and I'm looking forward to my post pumpkin pie ride.

We are FINALLY having seasonable weather here in the Carolinas. Highs in the mid to upper 70's lows in the upper 40's to low 50's. About time after the brutal heat of this past summer. We went riding today, found a new "pub" in the old neighborhood I grew up in. Left the truck at a nearby friend's house and rode around the downtown area. Got some pictures of a couple of sweet young things with my wife's bike. They thought it was neat. Interesting that a couple of 20 something pageant girls would find a 40 year old bike neat. But hey there is hope for this world after all.

Aaron

You have a much more sensible date for Thanksgiving than we do. A few years ago I rode my bike to Thanksgiving dinner, and the high temp that afternoon was 12F degrees.

At the rate our climate is changing, you may notice that early October is a little early for "Indian" summer. I'm in Canada at the moment. The leaves haven't turned much and temps are at a record high this holiday weekend. I think it was in the 80s F in Ontario yesterday.

Good weather at the end of November might be a real possibility this year.

I don't know what effect climate change will have on leaves and stuff. I know length of daylight is also important to plants, and so far humans haven't figured out a way to mess with that.

As of today, the trees here in southern Michigan still have some good autumn color, but they're starting to look raggedy. We have rainy/windy weather in the forecast that will probably take down most of the leaves pretty soon.

I'm a little farther south, but this is beautiful weather, though not many leaves have changed yet.