Closed for the season. It sounds so final and yet even though it means "the end" it is really just the beginning of the next season; the season to prepare Burntside for winter. Many believe it is simply the matter of putting things away, locking the door and leaving; when in essence it really means serious work of closing the lodge, the cabins, the marina. Attention paid now to cleaning and storage is always appreciated come spring.

It is a time for reflection on busy summer days. Thankfulness for the many employees who worked with us, and the wonderful guests who came our way.

Usually the fall color is brilliant at this time of year and starting to fade. This year is different; perhaps because the best days of summer came in September, the warmest on record for 32 years. The woods are now a mix of autumn greens, reds, yellows and oranges; it will be a couple of weeks before the annual project of leaf raking begins. We're not certain there will really be a "peak" this year...it may just blow away with notice. In the meantime, everyone is busy: boats coming out of the water and being winterized, inventories being taken, water lines being disconnected; the list goes on and on depending upon whom you talk to.

Personally, I'm having a hard time cutting back the main lodge gardens as the rudbeckias, dahlias, asters, even phlox are still in bloom; but its a good time to dig and divide and enrich the soil. The temperatures keep dropping though, which will certainly signify the end of the summer gardens.

- Lonnie