October Afternoon

The beauty that shimmers in the yellow afternoons of October, who could ever clutch it?  (Emerson)

The bright sunshine this October afternoon seems to highlight the already vivid autumn colors.  I recall these photos I took in October of 2010 as well as some favorite autumn quotations. (Note: click on photos to see more detail on larger images.)  

There is no such season when such pleasant and sunny spots can be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.  (Nathaniel Hawthorne)

Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. 

We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!

(Humbert Wolfe)

A Dream That Took Decades

On my recent trip to California, I took advantage of the opportunity to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, traveling to an elevation of 8,516 feet up the cliffs of Chino Canyon in Mt. San Jacinto State Park.  While the desert vistas spread for miles below me, I was intrigued by the story of the man who dreamed of the Tramway over 75 years ago.

The Aerial Tramway was born in the mind of Francis Crocker, a young electrical engineer, in 1935 while on a trip to Banning, California.  Although some were quite enthusiastic about his idea, others were more skeptical.  Progress on the Tramway was slow, sometimes even at a standstill.  Tramway bills in the California legislature were passed, then vetoed by the governor.  World War II and the Korean conflict significantly delayed the project.

Over the years, Crocker's dream did not diminish; he held his vision of a Tramway rising above the hot desert lands to the coolness of the San Jacinto mountains.  Eventually, the plans were developed and the unique engineering problems solved.  No public funds were used; money was raised by selling bonds.  Because only the first tower supporting the Tramway was accessible by road, helicopters flew thousands of trips to transport men and materials needed to erect the four other towers and the Mountain Station.  Formerly called "Crocker's Folly," the Tramway was now named the "eighth wonder of the world."

Construction was finally completed, and the first riders boarded the Tramway on September 14, 1963. Crocker had waited 28 years to see his dream become a reality.  Because of his persistence and dedication, I was able to ride the world's largest rotating tram cars, rising thousands of feet in just minutes, to enjoy the view from a very "cool" setting.  For more information, go to http://www.pstramway.com/history.html 

Starting

Saturday, October 8, was the official end of my sixtieth year and the beginning of the sixty-first year of my life.  My plans for the coming year (not to mention the coming decade) are still rather unclear.  What I do know is that I intend to continue writing and that some of that writing will be in the form of a blog.

Today, Aunt Sandi says:

(NOTE:  Click on photos to see more detail on larger images!)

• The weather is above 80 degrees in Palm Springs in October, but the 10-minute aerial tramway ride takes people to 8500 feet above sea level and to cooler temperatures.  And, the view is spectacular! 
• With almost 10 percent unemployment, it makes no sense that President Obama's jobs bill was defeated in Congress, while no one came up with a better plan to put Americans back to work (although Senate Republicans are now putting something together - what were they waiting for?)
• The holidays are just a little over two months away.  It's time to think about what holiday traditions to keep and what to let go.  How many holiday goodies are worth the cost and the calories?  How many gifts does it take to show someone I love and care about them?  How much energy (my own effort + my electric bill) do I want to spend on holiday lighting?  Observing the holidays is good; overdoing the holidays is not. 

That's what Aunt Sandi says.  What do you say?