As my friend Alison and I said "see you later" while standing in my driveway with the sun newly out and slipping lower in the November sky, I wahooed and told her, "This is how I love to live my life. I love to watch the weather, wait for when it breaks and then hit the woods." It was 3:00pm. So many would think that is too late to start a hike, but I know better and prefer to be in the woods at just those times when most are snuggling in. I know it takes me only 22 minutes to get to the trailhead (all back roads - no major routes - through Temple and into Perkins Township) and that the hike to the summit is only 30 minutes for me. Of course I had plenty of blaze orange on (although it is scary to know that this is nothing to really comfort me into thinking I am safe - one man, decked in blaze orange, was shot dead by another hunter in Naples only days ago and two dogs have been shot and killed, one wearing orange another with a red bandana). I also had my headlamp and extra clothes just in case (I did forget my pepper spray which really bothers me when men -- I know women hunt too, but they are not who I am afraid of when thinking of sexual predators -- are running around with guns in the woods). As I would have it, I saw no one. It was epic up there - super windy and super brisk. November is by far one of my most favorite months. I love the color of the mountains; they are almost purple. I love how all the tourists are gone (aside from some hunters - but the tourists who do that are typically moose and bear hunters) and the woods are filled with locals, at least up here, anyway. I love how stark it is, that winter is on her way. I simply love November. And I love afternoons like the one I had yesterday. Out into the woods today to be sure. Only question is where.