After Dark

It feels like autumn has really arrived here. We had cool temperatures a couple of weeks ago, but it was too early to be the real thing. The trees hadn't changed color yet, and it was still bright outside while I cooked dinner. Now the days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are getting cooler. There are a couple of places on my everyday driving route where a hillside of trees explodes with a wonderful array of red, yellow, and orange.

Tonight's gloomy weather and brisk temperature were probably better suited for staying home and starting a fire in the fireplace, but I hadn't had any physical activity for a couple of days and decided to take a walk after dinner. As I left the house I fired up the MP3 player and chose Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. I absolutely love the moody instruments and otherworldly vocals of the disc.

I wasn't too far from my house before it was completely dark outside. Yesterday's rain had knocked a substantial number of leaves onto the ground; I had to be careful walking on the damp masses covering the sidewalks. I followed my normal route through the subdivision. When I reached the end of the street, instead of turning and continuing in the regular direction I crossed over into another subdivision. I often travel through this one in the car, but tonight in the dark, on foot, it was different. The streets were completely empty, and the hypnotic sounds coming out of the speakers made the whole thing seem unworldly.

The mood continued for another ten minutes, until I circled back to the main road. The local high school was having a football game, and I got caught up in a bit of traffic. However, I turned the opposite way and soon the crowd noise was just a buzz in the distance. A light breeze started blowing; although I was warm in my hoodie, my face and hands were pleasantly cool.

The last leg of my walk led me up a steep hill, past a middle school and an elementary school, and through one more subdivision. I arrived home just as my CD completed. I felt invigorated and glad I had made the effort.

Here's one of the songs I listened to tonight: