More From The Magic Wood

At one edge of the wood there is a huge log pile that I've pictured here before. Behind the wood pile there is someone's collection of found things. Chimney pots, pipe sections, corrugated metal, boards, bricks, wheels, all manner of stuff. There are a couple of trailers, an old piece of farm machinery, and a funky little shed that's locked tight.

Callie scopes out the shed at the edge of the Magic Wood.

The paths around the site are well worn, but we've rarely, if ever, seen anyone there. Not even a tin woodsman. As Callie and I emerged from the Magic Wood, I could almost hear Optimistic Voices:

You're out of the woods
You're out of the dark
You're out of the night
Step into the sun
Step into the light
Keep straight ahead for
The most glorious place
On the face
Of the earth or the sky

Golden vineyards in the afternoon sun.

The views are indeed glorious. The vines have begun their transformation from lush and green to golden, after which the leaves will tumble to the ground leaving only the brown vine behind. Then, as winter settles in, the pruners will come out to snip them back.

The Cher Valley dips below a line of poplar trees and rises up on the other side.

The Emerald City can't be far now. Just gotta watch out for those poppies...

Ooops. Looks like the Wizard made his escape before we arrived.