Fall Arrives in Reno / Tahoe

Today is the first day of fall, the autumnal equinox in Earth's northern hemisphere. In the celestial realm, this is one of two days in the year the sun crosses the equator, with day and night being approximately equal in length. In fall, the sun is moving south. Its counterpart, the vernal equinox or first day of spring, is the day in March when the sun crosses the equator coming north. I know it's really Earth moving and not the sun, but this description works for us non-astronomers.

Here in the Truckee Meadows, the changing season's signs are becoming evident. Though the days are still pleasantly warm, the sun is setting sooner and evenings are developing a crisp edge. Tinges of yellow are beginning to appear in some of the trees. Truckee River flows are low and slow, and the parks along its banks are quiet after a hot summer of picnics and water play. Production from my little vegetable garden is about done and I may have just mowed the grass for the last time this year.

The thing I like best about our autumn season will be arriving soon - fall color. Reno and Sparks turn multiple shades of yellow, orange, and red, in dramatic contrast to the greens of summer. The Sierra Nevada surrounding Lake Tahoe put on their own show, with yellows and golds emanating from acres of aspens and willows. I think it's our most visually beautiful time of year, and a fine way to transition into several months of winter.