Fall
The official first day of Fall was September 22nd of this year.
Fall has also been called Autumn, and it is one of our four seasons. In 2020, it runs from September 22 to December 21st. However, living in Florida, the temperatures here at the moment, still feel like it's mid-summer. The fall season normally marks the time when the leaves change colors, the days become shorter, and the temperatures become cooler. Animals prepare for the long winter months ahead by storing food. (Think of squirrels and bears) and farmers harvest their crops.
One of the most wonderful pleasures of this time of year is taking a road trip to see the fall foliage. The brilliant red, yellow, orange and gold colors are entrancing and both professional and amateur photographers alike can't help themselves from taking pictures...one scene is more beautiful than the next.
The peak leaf viewing time is usually from September to mid-November. In Bar Harbor, Maine, for instance, it runs from late September through October. If you go further south to Charlottesville, Virginia, the colors peak in mid-October and can last through mid-November. The timing often depends on the amount of rain a certain region has had during the spring and summer.
When I lived in Maryland, my friends and I used to drive to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (only 75 miles from D.C.) and follow the Skyline Drive to view the magnificent fall foliage. Skyline Drive is a scenic 105-mile highway that takes you through the park. There are 75 overlooks where one can stop and take photos. The maximum driving speed allowed in the park is 35 miles per hour, so most people take 3-4 hours to fully enjoy the sights. Like sipping a fine wine, the experience should be savored slowly for its maximum effect.
Before the Covid virus, fall also signaled the beginning of the NFL football season and the requisite tailgating gatherings at the stadiums. It's also when the World Series of baseball was played. It was a time for cold beer and warm apple cider, Halloween parties, scary costumes, carved pumpkins and little ghosts' trick or treating. There was an abundance of candy corn, turkeys, sweet potatoes and pecan pie to enjoy. We put aside the swimsuits and shorts (except in Florida) from our hot days of summer, and brought out the sweaters, coats and gloves. It's the time of year when we transitioned from summer to winter. Schools and universities began their new semesters (with students participating in person) and children happily stuffed their book bags with new school supplies. (Parents were thrilled that the school year had started again after their children's long summer vacation). There was a feeling of expectancy and excitement in the air, and the anticipation of the holidays to come. This year, of course, things are very different, but that's the beauty of having memories. We can recall happier times and hope they will return.
In Despicable Lies, both Darcy and Danielle love the Fall. In my opinion, and in theirs, it's the best time of the year. Enjoy it! Covid or not...you can still savor candied apples and candy corn.
Until my next inspiration...ciao.
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