lost in maples

I've been waiting and waiting for central Texas to succumb to fall, to those cool nights in the 40's that trigger the inevitable preparation for a long winter. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year and even in Texas one can find a hint of New England color. If you know where to look, you can see trees ablaze with vivid amber, scarlet, saffron, and emerald speckling the landscape.
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So I keep waiting for that perfect weekend to go hiking in one of my favorite parks in the hill country, Lost Maples State Natural Area, a remnant from the Ice Age that supports relict bigtooth maple trees. These beauties are GORGEOUS in the fall and could give New England a run for its money! Here are some past pictures from TPWD's website and Laurence Parent.
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When I found out that Lost Maples started to see leaves turning 6 weeks earlier than usual this year due to the summer's severe drought, my heart guiltily started beating faster. Early fall foliage? At least something aesthetically pleasing would emerge from a season of debilitating stress! But to my chagrin, because of the recent (and much needed) heavy rains most of the trees are continuing to hold onto their leaves...for now. Which, I keep telling myself, is good. We need the rain. Yup, yay rain. So until the weather cools, I guess I'll keep waiting to be lost in those firey maples.