Fall is definitely in the air. I can just tell that things have changed. The evenings are crisp again; today was the first day since summer started that I had to turn up the heat in the house a little; and I had to wear socks in the house to keep my toes warm! *gasp*
I love the sunshine. I used to really dislike fall because it was a sign that colder and wetter weather was coming to Seattle, which would put a damper on some of our fun. I used to hide indoors watching the days on the calendar tick away until the warm summer days would come back.
Now, Fall is something that I’ve learned to look forward to and enjoy. In fact, it’s one of my favorite seasons now. It’s not because the Pumpkin Spice Latte is returning to Starbucks either. 🙂
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For me, fall means that I get to start wearing fun clothes like my Smartwool tights and skirt with my tall Sorel Slimboot; and I dust off my fluffy and colorful scarves.
It means that the crisp fall air immediately cools me when I get out of the shower; I can switch from my light lotion to my luxurious body balm; and I switch from citrus based lotions and perfumes (when I wear any) to the comforting vanilla-based scents  (LaVanila Pure Vanilla is one of my favorites).
It also means I get to hike some of our favorite trails again and get a different perspective – one with golden fall colors – I get to start drinking hot Starbucks mocha’s again on the way to the trailhead.
Fall also brings change for Gretel and Chester. These 9 reasons I look forward to fall with them:
1) Chester starts snuggling with me under the covers again.
2) The Walking Dead returns, which means we start our weekly TV-watching, couch snuggling routine (we don’t watch much TV in the summer)
3) They get to start wearing our favorite Hurtta dog jackets again.
4) The fall leaves give Chester something new and interesting to smell on our walks (and chase when it’s windy).
5) They get to enjoy some of their favorite fall-themed dog treats – Fruitables Sweet Potato & Pecan, Pumpkin & Banana, Pumpkin & Blueberry, Pumpkin & Cranberry, and Pumpkin & Apple crunchy treats.
6) Fall is considered a travel “off season” so things like hotel and gas are cheaper and popular destinations are less crowded….. including our favorite trails.
7) The weather is cooler so I don’t have to worry about them overheating on hikes – so we don’t have to plan our hiking around temperatures that are “too-hot”.
8) Some of the beaches that are off limits to dogs during the swimming season become dog-friendly again.
9) I get to attend Halloween events with them and ogle all the cute pups in costumes (I don’t go all-out with Chester and Gretel’s costumes if I dress them up at all).
What parts of fall do you and your dog look forward too?
Jen Costell says
Love your Fall list!
I can’t wait for Fall! The boys and and I are getting claustrophobic in the house this summer! It’s been a brutal Summer for them and we hardly had any breaks in the heat!
I love all the Fall colors, fires in the fire pit, snuggling up on the couch, football and bringing out all my hoodies! I look forward to all the Fall scents from Bath n’ Body works too!
Jessica Rhae says
You’re one of the people I always think of when I think about how summer heat in some areas of the country can limit outdoor activities with dogs. I remember as a new blogger when it first dawned on me that, although it is grey and rainy here a lot of the year, I am lucky because it’s rarely too hot or too cold to do anything. Here’s to fall adventuring! (and I also like the Bath and Bodyworks fall scents).
Monika & Sam says
We loe the smells autumn provides, well that and that special golden glow for photos of colorful aspens in the Rocky Mountains. Here’s to a ‘pawtastic’ autumn!
Jessica Rhae says
We have alder trees here that are very similar (in fact, my hubby who is not from here keeps exclaiming, “Look aspens!” when we drive by a grove) so I know what you mean. A favorite around here are the high-country larches that turn a golden yellow. You probably get more fall sun in the Rockies than we do here though 🙂
Emma says
First we are thrilled when summer is over as it is our least favorite season – too warm, too many people out and about. We love the cool weather and that snuggling is back in our schedule. Walks are more fun and being outside is simply bearable!
Beth says
Fall is our absolute favorite season! We love the leaves changing colors the most–and Barley loves crunching through the ones that have fallen on the trails. The cooler temperatures are definitely a plus–Barley’s slept in the bed snuggled up next to me instead of by herself under the bed a few nights this week!
Leigh says
He must love those fall-themed treats. I know pumpkin has been a popular flavor; have you considered making your own treats? The hiking looks great too, especially with that crisp air and those beautiful fall colors.
Leigh says
Fall is a good season for a lot of snuggle time on the couch or the bed with my fur babies. We’d like to just hang around and play or watch tv together.