Everyone enjoys Wisconsin’s autumn panorama
By Roger Pitt
Seldom does the End Stool have virtually unanimous agreement on any of its topics, let alone having two within a week.
It is easy to find consensus that a Wisconsin autumn compares favorably to ballyhooed national landmarks like the Grand Canyon, because the color sets it apart from most states.
When it comes to politics, however, the topic is often emotional and stirs a heated debate between the best of friends and within families.
There is consensus, however, the campaign for president is too long, begins way too early and the next run for the office will begin soon after the ballots are cast on Nov. 8, 2016.
Even Tom and Al, who regularly debate politics, concede the campaigns are too long. They were friends, enjoying the life of recently graduated New London High School seniors, when I first wrote about them in 1964. Graduates of that class have retained close contact through the years.
Char, while watching the morning news, gives first hand commentary on the events on the television screen. The daily exposure of Donald and Hillary always elicits “isn’t this ever going to end? The next campaign will begin the day after we vote, anyway.”
Campaign 2016 began in earnest following the November 2014 election and still has 12 months until decision day 2016.
The timeline for relishing Mother Nature’s art is too short in comparison – especially when strong wind that prevailed last week and rain strip bare trees.
Sometimes this vandalism of color reveals a hidden masterpiece. That is the case of trees along State 54 from New London to Northport. Trees along the highway were bare, but trees were a pallet of bright colors Friday on the hillside overlooking the Mukwa Marsh.
Wayne asked if I knew when Colorama in Tigerton was? It is an annual event especially catering to horseback riders. (I had no answer, but learned too late that it was during the past weekend, Friday through Sunday.)
My mother Connie, 93, took the more traditional viewing venue from a car, something she and my dad did each fall. This year she was chauffeured by her granddaughter Jill and great-granddaughter Ashley and then an encore with my sister Karen.
Both trips were the local venue of Portage and Waupaca counties, offering varied topography and mixture of trees in contrasting colors.
While getting a haircut last week Sue and Louise talked about fall being their favorite time of the year.
Louise said, her ride to the shop from her residence west of Manawa, is highlighted by the exceptional color along the route.
Sue, who migrated to Wisconsin from the Northeast – areas of which are known for its color – said “the fall (panorama) is one of the benefits of moving here.”
Waupaca County is cited by the state Tourism Bureau as one of Wisconsin’s best areas for viewing fall color. It also tops the state list of counties for most deer killed hunting and vehicle accidents.
An early sign winter is around the corner began early last week as bucks began the rut and deer are on the run. A doe running in front of my car was a reminder driver’s need to be more alert.
It was not our colorful fall but a visitor to the End Stool during the summer marveled at the number of trees in our state compared to Nebraska where she lives.
You can only imagine her reaction to that same scenery in fall.