As I experience each new autumn day in Jackson, I’m amazed at how much the sunlight and colors of fall entrance me and engage my attention.  This preternatural connection to nature brings added benefits to my holistic health.  I walk outside much more.  I breathe deeper breaths, smelling the scents of autumn as I breathe in and pushing out stress as I breathe out.  I engage in conversation with local residents.  Every new face is a lovable strangers to me, the true stranger, the outsider, the foreigner.

Time and time again, day after day after day, someone in Jackson blows me away with their kindness.  So often, I sense genuine interest in meeting me — that new person from somewhere else.  On October 7, 2013 I experienced a Jackson moment, for me the new signature Jackson moment.

I attempted to order two coney dogs and a large root beer float from the Cascades Ice Cream Company.  I don’t carry cash these days and I realized with a small, seasonal operation, I might be in for an “unable to pay” surprise.  I asked “do you accept debit or credit cards?”  The response from the pleasant 20-something server was a bright “we don’t, but we’re getting the machine for next year”.  She added, “but you can pay tomorrow or later this weekend.”  With shock I offered this incredulous reply “Well, here’s my card so you know who I am.  By the way, I encourage you to come out at walk the trails at Dahlem.  It’s so beautiful this time of year.”  She replied with a smile, “I went there last year with my son’s class on a field trip!”

Here’s the IOU reminder, which I will bring with me to pay my $8.25 debt today:

 

And here are samples of the beautiful things you’ll find on walks on Dahlem’s trails this season…

 

 

 

 

For those of you who enjoy walking outside in downtown Jackson, here are several images for you from October, 2013

 

 

 

,

 

Autumn Blessings!

Come walk the trails at Dahlem with me this season,

Rod