There are few things more relaxing and spiritually rewarding than a lazy Autumn drive through a landscape altering its palette from green to shades of gold. At the coordinates of 53.2033° N, 105.7531° W—in the boreal transition region known as where pine meets prairie—we spent our day immersed in an environment rich with colour and the scent of Fall. Whereas Spring and Summer are more floral, I personally love the musky sweet smell of a pile of leaves and what it signals. In the air today, it was potent.

We even had a wildlife encounter in almost the same location I saw two black bears five months ago. A red fox that was laser-focused on the delicacies of the roadside. I’d never seen one so close before. We could have pet it with how close it ventured to my vehicle (but, of course, did not).

Here’s hoping he was able to feast, as we all hope to heading into winter.