Growing up in New England, I’ve always loved the fall season. Seeing the leaves turn amazing hues of orange, red and yellow is like watching an artist paint a masterpiece. I love how the fall season smells… do you know what I mean? The air has a special scent. I seem to always forget about this autumnal aroma until it’s that time of the year again, catch a whiff, and rediscover the scent all over again. This is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Here are my must do’s for fall.
1. Apple Picking
Fall is not the same without a hearty dose of apples in my diet. Apple butter, apple pie, apple crisp-the more apples the better. I grew up spending at least one October saturday afternoon on an orchard, filling bags full of apples, and eating them off the branches until I was sick to my stomach. No matter what age or where I’m at in the world, I try to find my way to an orchard during this time, climb some trees, pick some tasty Macs and breath in that fresh, crisp air.
2. Hiking
What better way to enjoy the changing colors of the fall leaves than to get on a trail. Get up close and personal with the season, enjoy it firsthand-out in the wilderness. And who says you need to drive far to get on the trail-I recently went for a hike around a reservoir, and it was just as good as getting in the woods.
3. Mountain Biking
The last time I did any serious mountain biking I was living in Lake Tahoe. Which, by the way, is an excellent place to mountain bike. But truth be told, accessible mountain bike trails abound in many locations, you just have to get out there and explore. Ask your local bike shop. Do a google search for bike trails nearby. You’ll be out and on two wheels in no time.
4. Raking Leaves
That’s right, this fall time chore is one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday afternoon. It’s been a while since I’ve had an actual yard to rake, but man I just love getting out there, working up a sweat, and yes, even stuffing the leaves in bags. It’s all good stuff, and it’s all very fall-centric. So grab a rake, put on some gloves, and make that yard leaf-free. For at least a day til other leaves blow into the yard. 🙂
What are your favorite outdoor activities for fall?
Fall leaves photo courtesy of Chiot’s Run