Welcome to the end of summer and the beginning of the best time of year: Autumn! A season of change. This is the time of year so many people look forward to, for many reasons. For some it’s the start of another school year, which means it’s also the start of another football season. How much fun is it to sit in the bleachers on a crisp fall night and cheer on your favorite high school team. Or spend a Saturday afternoon at a local college game. Or even better(not really) waste a good Sunday watching your NFL team lose again! Yes there are good ways and not so good ways to spend the best time of the year. For myself and many others this is THE time of year to be outside, whether it’s working in the garden or yard, getting in some of the best fishing of the year, getting some great photos, or spending some quality time out in the woods with your best buddy, nephew, brother or spouse and the huntin’ dog in search of wild game. Or to sit motionless in your treestand waiting for the right deer to come by, all the while watching the woods go about it’s business that only a quiet observer will get to see.

Yes indeed a season of change. We all notice the days are getting shorter. The weather at this time of year is a bit like those mood swings we experience back in Spring, also a season of change. The temperatures fluctuate from warmer than average to cooler than average as the atmospheric battle goes on between a stubborn summer and relentless autumn. Eventually the shorter days of fall will determine the winner and summer will head to Florida or Texas for a few months to regroup.

The days get shorter which in turn cuts off the chlorophyll(that green stuff) production in leaves, which means all those other pigments can come out and play: reds, oranges, yellows, scarlet, even pinks. We spend lots of drive time and money looking for these colors; for many businesses up north it’s the last big money maker of the year.

Those of us living in central Minnesota, especially in the Avon Hills are blessed to have lots of the right species of trees, shrubs, and even wild grasses residing here. The good Lord puts on a pretty decent art show right here out our back door. And word has it this year’s show should be pretty good. So take some time to get out and see what’s on display, and while you’re at it visit a local apple orchard, we’ve got several in the area.

Another way to spend some time outside on a weekend is to stop by the 7th Annual Avon Hills Rendezvous and Black Powder Shoot held on October 4, 5, and 6 just four miles south of Avon, right smack in the middle of the showy fall colors. This a family learn-by-doing event. Here people have a chance to shoot a black powder gun, shoot a bow, maybe try their hand at throwing a tomahawk, or learn how to start a fire with flint and steel.

For a small fee those with some experience and their own equipment can try for prizes and bragging rights. If you think you’re an expert marksman try out the Primitive Shoot; here small targets like plastic spoons, feathers, pickles, carrots and olives are the target at 12-15 yards. Even though you may not use a shooting rest, this is a very popular event. And be sure to check out the trading post, with handmade items and more.

The big reason for this event was originally to get together with family and friends for a weekend of outdoor fun. It’s grown a bit and now we host it to get people back outside. Studies have shown a disturbing trend: fewer and fewer people are spending time outside, and for this reason many are losing knowledge of the natural world, what it looks like, how it works, and even what’s out there. We also see that spending time outside is better for your emotional as well as your physical health. It’s a great way to get away from the pressures we face every day, to relieve stress, to slow down, and to get some quietness back into your life, maybe rethink some things, or spend some uninterrupted time talking to God. Getting outside can do wonders!

If this sounds like fun you can go to the Black Powder Shoot Link on the website for more information. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

Hope to see you out there,

Lynx