Earl was a blustery tropical storm bringing a deluge of rain by the time it hit Cape Cod. The wind blew but not even the bird feeders were tossed from the trees. I stood for a while at the front door and watched the storm. The rain fell in sheets, and I could feel the spray from drops pounding the front steps. Gracie chose to forego her last outside visit. She got to the door, poked her head out and backtracked into the house. I am glad there was no damage, and everyone is safe, but I do admit I was looking forward just a bit to all that wind.

Today is a delight. The sun is shining, and a cool breeze has replaced the humidity of the last few days. The tourists who hunkered down will have plenty of beach time today and tomorrow. It’s their reward for staying. On Monday, the line to cross the bridge will stretch for miles.

School starts here on Tuesday. It is the seventh school year without me, and I couldn’t be more delighted. The best Cape weather is during September and October, and I never miss it anymore. The changing seasons happen before my eyes, and I get a front row seat. I used to watch through the windows.

I never thought the Cape had fall foliage until I came home from Ghana. It was then I noticed for the first time the colors unfolding and how uniquely beautiful they are on Cape Cod. The deep blue autumn sky and the crested waves of the ocean seem to frame all the colors. The marshes are filled with tall tan grasses and the same color grasses mix with green ones to border the dunes. The maple trees are usually the first to change color. Their leaves turn red. The oak tree leaves turn yellow, and they are everywhere. The cranberry bogs become a deeper and deeper red as they fill with berries. Along the dirt roads near the shore, the last of the ripe beach plums turn purple. Poison ivy is a brilliant red.

Fall on Cape Cod is my favorite season, and I am impatiently waiting.