Susan and I celebrated summer’s end by sculling into autumn on Saturday morning. Sculling. September 23, 2023. Summers end. Slightly alliterative autumn. The beginning of a new chapter. Crisper. More colorful. Susan, Carley, and I uncovered the dory and rowed out onto placid waters to better observe the beginning of fall foliage and to honor the shift from carefree summertime to falling leaves and harvest and cool nights and colorful panoramas.

A tranquil outing on Lake Champlain with my two ladies, alternately exercising and relaxing, enjoying one another’s company, taking time to absorb the soothing splendor. The beginning of weekend, and yet the lake was empty. So quiet. So serene.