Fall leaves. Glorious colors.

A reminder that summer is gone.

A reminder that life moves on.

Even after sadness.

That nothing stays the same.

That old man winter is coming to town.

Fall.

The most spectacular season of all.

Colors more vivid than the glory of spring.

Reminding us - it's all OK.

Celebrate the day!

Every moment can't be sunny. Or perfect.

But every moment, we can be thankful.

For the gift of life, and love, and each other - and the day.

Fall colors!   Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org — Fall colors! Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

Fall in the Columbia River Gorge.    Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org — Fall in the Columbia River Gorge. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

Thankful - it's the end of fire season.

A miniature replica of the gateway to our Columbia River Gorge after the Eagle Creek Fire, hand made for the First Responder thank you party in Hood River.  Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org — A miniature replica of the gateway to our Columbia River Gorge after the Eagle Creek Fire, hand made for the First Responder thank you party in Hood River. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

Fall is a reminder - to be grateful.

Helos and airplanes dropped thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant on the Eagle Creek Fire. Along with 1,000 firefighters from all over the country, and the gift of changing weather, the Eagle Creek Fire was finally mostly contained in Oct… — Helos and airplanes dropped thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant on the Eagle Creek Fire. Along with 1,000 firefighters from all over the country, and the gift of changing weather, the Eagle Creek Fire was finally mostly contained in October. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

This mini replica shows ODOT (Oregon Dept. of Transportation) and OSP (Oregon State Police) working while I-84 closed during the Eagle Creek Fire. The fire burned right down to the freeway in some sections.    Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDia… — This mini replica shows ODOT (Oregon Dept. of Transportation) and OSP (Oregon State Police) working while I-84 closed during the Eagle Creek Fire. The fire burned right down to the freeway in some sections. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

Thank you, first responders - firefighters, 911, cops, volunteers, Red Cross and many others in emergency services.

Thank you for your partnership, your bravery - your time away from home and family - taking care of our families - in the Eagle Creek Fire.

I was honored to serve you as Hood River County Emergency Manager.

This fall, we almost took the fall.

Our community was incredibly lucky to survive the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge.

Our magnificent forests and trails and wilderness areas and wildlife, were not so lucky. But our homes and pets and neighborhoods were.

Thank you Gorge neighbors - for the spirit of community that rallied in Hood River, Cascade Locks, Corbett, Stevenson, Skamania and all the small and scenic communities of the Columbia River Gorge.

We were the #1 fire in the nation for a while - meaning we were the worst - with the most to lose - the US ranked our fire as the top priority to fight. Thank you.

We were saved by the two-month-long rally of first responders - and changing weather.

Fall came to our rescue.

Thank you Ma Nature.

Our hearts break for those in Napa and Sonoma Counties this fire season.

We stand together with you as you rebuild your lives.