Outdoors with Don Q: The Fall season is full of all kinds of activities

1:22 a.m. on September 23 in Carson City was the official start of the Fall season, and with the arrival of that special season of the year that lasts until December 21 (the beginning of the Winter season), there are all kinds of activities occurring that might be of interest to you.
Here are some of them:

California fishing seasons closing:
If you like to fish in the State of California, be advised that many of its creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and reservoirs will be closing on Nov. 15, and will not re-open until the last Saturday in April 2016.

Fall foods:
As our weather cools down, the traditional cooler weather foods become more appealing, including: Hot soups, beef stew, chili beans, roast beef, roast chicken, Linguini with Mussels, meat loaf, baked squash, hot pies, etc.

Fall colors in Carson City:
There are many locations for enjoying the Fall colors of trees and bushes, but some of the best are right here in Carson City: the State Capitol grounds, Mills Park, the Carson River and the older west side of Carson City.
Fall Colors elsewhere:
My favorite places for the colors of the Quaking Aspen trees and other trees are at places like Franktown Road in Washoe Valley, Spooner Lake, and nearby Hope Valley, Calif.

Flu shots:
It's that time of the year to get your annual flu shot. Don't put it off, as that old saying says:"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Do it now and you won't be sorry later on. Winter is coming!

Local fishing seasons closing:
They will close September 30: The Fort Churchill Cooling Ponds, Hinkson Slough and North Pond (all near Yerington), Hobart Reservoir and Marlette Lake (between Carson City and Lake Tahoe) and Topaz Lake.

Italian Festival in Reno:
It will be Oct. 10 & 11. Lots of fun, good food, music and entertainment, all located on Virginia Street in Reno. One of my personal favorites is the grape stomping contest, but don't stand too close or you'll be sorry.

Ideas for Christmas gifts:
It's not too early to be thinking about Christmas gifts for those special people in your life. Put some thought into it now and it will pay off in big dividends when they unwrap their gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.

Nevada Day in Carson City:
The highlight of all the Nevada Day celebration activities is the huge Nevada Day Parade that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31. It begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. A Must See Event.

Pyramid Lake trout season opens:
Oct. 01 is a special day in the lives of anglers interested in the chance to catch a Lahontan Cutthroat Trout weighing 20 pounds or more. Pyramid Lake is on the Indian Reservation and has very special fishing restrictions.

Short days and long nights:
We are rapidly approaching the short days and long nights that precede the cold, snow and ice of the winter months. So, be sure to check the anti-freeze in your vehicles, unhook your watering hoses, put summer tools away, etc.

Sun setting in Barrow, Alaska:
Barrow is the furthest north settlement in Alaska, and on Nov. 18, its residents will see the sun set for the last time in 2015. It will not re-appear until Jan. 24, 2016. That's more than two months without sunshine.

Thanksgiving dinner:
Now is the time to plan to have relatives and friends at your home for a big Thanksgiving dinner of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, cranberry sauce, biscuits and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

Visit Apple Hill, Calif.:
It is a large geographic area near Placerville, consisting of farms, ranches, orchards, wineries and vineyards, with fruits, vegetables, bakery products, cider mills, arts and crafts shops, wines, picnic areas, pumpkin patches, etc.

Finally:
With Fall just around the corner, now is the time to be planning to enjoy that special season. There are lots of choices, pick one or more.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you if we will be attending the big, 2-3 hour Nevada Day Parade.
If he grins and says, "Don and Elaine like to watch the parade from the grandstand at Max Casino (formerly Carson Station Casino)" he has probably sat in the same grandstand, close to us.