It’s a brisk fall morning. I grabbed a jacket on my way out the door knowing that more than likely it will be warmer this afternoon and the jacket will not be needed. It’s September in North Dakota, things are starting to change. Most of the birds that migrate south are gone. Above me is the familiar V shaped flight of geese, and they are headed south. It’s only one flock today, soon the sky will be filled with geese headed south. Some will stop for a temporary stay; others seem bound and determined to book a direct flight.

I ask myself if I have time this morning for a quick trip through Oak Park, and the answer is “sure, Rod”, knowing the trees have started to turn their fall colors, the clock is ticking and soon all those leaves will abandon their trees and fall gracefully to the ground. There have been mornings when I drive through the park and the leaves are falling almost like snowflakes. Those days the sun will be lower in the sky, shining through the trees, casting a yellow haze. “How could it be more amazing than this?” I ask myself. The oak trees in the park are fewer now than when I first came to Minot. Still, there are enough trees shedding acorns to keep the squirrels busy storing their winter rations. When the acorns are crushed by the tires on my car, they make a distinctive sound causing the squirrels to dart up the nearest tree to wait until I’ve driven by, and they can get back to work.

Today is Monday. Let’s see, what do I have on my calendar for the weekend? Can I take a short trip to the Upper Souris (Lake Darling) Wildlife Refuge? I love to drive the backroads along the Souris River valley. The views of the trees along the valley are so enjoyable. The colors, albeit a little less brilliant because of the smoke from the Canadian wildfires, vary from green to yellow, and once in a while a vibrant red. Got a whole day to kill. Get out your GPS and plot a course. Start at Upper Souris, then head to the Del Lacs wildlife refuge. Take Highway 5 and turn north on Highway 83. Take the road that heads east toward Lake Metigoshe. The trip around Metigoshe is phenomenal! Metigoshe State Park has wonderful hiking and biking trails, in fact, there is a paved bike path all the way around Lake Metigoshe. Note: This may be another trip that goes in your bucket list, as the trail probably takes a couple of hours to traverse.

Now we are headed back to Minot through Bottineau, but the trip would not be complete without taking a tour of the Clark Sayler wildlife refuge on Highway 14 near Upham.

Cameras are a must. Pack a lunch and make it a point to stop and enjoy the fall colors. There are certainly limitless opportunities to get the kids out of the car and expend some of their energy. In the meantime, maybe they catch a site of a wandering moose or a herd of deer. One time at Lake Metigoshe we parked on a road to protect a painted turtle as he crossed from one ditch to the other. It was a very slow process, but one the kids (now grown) talk about to this day.

I know, it’s a lot to squeeze into one day. But it is certainly worth your time. But the opportunity is limited. A quick frost and the leaves start to fall. If you get a great photo, email it to me at sentrysales@srt.com. We love to share those special moments with all of our readers. Remember, the clock is ticking, so start planning your journey today.

Best Kept Secrets
On October 8th the Brass Band of Minot will perform their Fall Patriotic Concert in Anne Nicole Nelson hall on the campus of Minot State University. It’s one hour of excellent brass music, ending with an audience sing along of God Bless America. Admission is free.
Today’s Chuckle
The problem with lying is that it’s so hard to keep track of what you said to who.