* -- * -- * -- october had arrived in all its glory.-the gold and crimson leaves were vying with the gorgeous sunset in the age old effort to show the world what true colors were all about.-the dark green of the pines and cedar trees shouldered their way between the colorful maples and the yellow and brown of the giant leaves of the oak trees were a counterpoint to the purple and magenta of the cottonwoods , the sweet gums , and hickories.-the rolling hills put the colorful varieties on display with row upon row showing one behind the other as far as the eye could see .