What To Do About The Leaves

          It’s time! It’s time.   Less than three weeks until the fun starts ramping up.   Of course, depending on what you’re looking for, the fun could start in the next week.   “That’s right, woodchuck chuckers. It’s….”   Well, it’s not Groundhog’s Day, but it’s just as good, if not better.   For now is the time for the leaves of New England to start changing.   I know you’re all excited: finally the outside is starting to reflect what we’ve been thinking about on the inside for the last ten months, or so.
          According to the predictions, the second week of September is the earliest point for the leaves to begin changing.   That’s along the Canadian-New England border.   By the following week, the change should be in full swing up there.   If you feel like traveling halfway across the country to see leaves is insane, well, then you’ve probably never been here.   Regardless, you might have a point, except, there are tons of other things to see here as well, like our many covered bridges, (54 in New Hampshire alone), or some of the countries oldest buildings, ( a few I’ve been in were built pre-Revolutionary war).   Of course, these things can be seen any time of the year, but it’s the changing of the leaves that really brings them to life.   If these things aren’t on your bucket list of things to see, they should be.
          If you’re not so keen on traveling so far north to see the foliage, the last week or two of September is when the rest of the region starts showing signs, with the first half of October bringing out the last of the reds and yellows.   If you’re a Cape Cod fan, the last vestiges of color-changing leaves are found there no later than the end of the third week of October.   Chatham, MA, a small town on the south-eastern coast of Cape Cod, is rumored to be one of a handful of Halloween towns in the country that have big celebrations, events, and even a parade.   I’m going this year!   Regardless of where you go, if you wait until the end of October, you’ve lost out.
          A word of caution: while the predictions are still holding to their original dates, the weather has been, unseasonably, cold for the last week or two, especially at night.   Temps have been in the low 50s.   The sun is already starting to set earlier, and, from where I can see out of my window, the days aren’t as bright as they have been.   Hope to see you out there.