Beathard: Taking the time this fall

It’s that time of year.

The last couple of weeks of Indian summer have been glorious. After I left the office Friday night, I drove up Owl Creek Road and got out to enjoy the perfect weather just before the storm moved in. I took a walk on Tom Blake Trail and ended up looking out over the pasture there toward Red Mountain, where the sun’s last rays were turning the clouds pink and making the orange leaves look even more brilliant. And I finally took a deep breath — quite a few actually.

On Saturday, we drove my Jeep up the road from Marble to Crystal. Even as rocks were hitting the bottom of my car and we drove up some pretty scary sections, I wasn’t worried. We decided eventually to park so we could walk the last couple of miles, and even though there was rain in the forecast, it felt like we had all the time in the world. And in fact, the rain didn’t start until we were having a late lunch in Marble.

Sometimes it feels like there’s a lot of negativity in the air, even in our little slice of paradise. I enjoy a healthy debate and a good news story, but this weekend it was nice to get off of that pace for a little while.

I don’t know why exactly, but for some reason I just suddenly had this feeling that I had all the time in the world to do whatever I wanted and then some. It could be that I’m finally taking a moment because it’s offseason, but I also think there’s something about a truly glorious fall that makes me feel that way. The warm, heady air makes it so I couldn’t get worked up about something if I wanted to do. It feels like time expands.

I’m back at my desk now, and the weather is certainly less than remarkable. But I’m holding on to this feeling for as long as I can.

Jill Beathard is the editor of the Snowmass Sun. Contact her at jill@snowmasssun.com.