I drove the 22 miles to Joplin this afternoon and the fall colors were very beautiful. It wasn't sunny and I usually think the sun makes the colors show up better. The grass was green because of the rain, the trunks of the trees were wet and dark against the colorful foliage. I had to focus and drive because I found myself trying to identify the brilliant yellow trees. They may have been hickories. Some of the dogwoods were a bright red instead of the dark red I have been seeing in town.