October is the traditional time for leaves to turn vibrant colors, at least in some locations. This process occurs by a complex chemical reaction, which is initiated by chambers of commerce in tourist towns all over the Northeast and other popular "leaf-peeping" areas in an effort to attract visitors and -- it is hoped -- their money.
But predicting when the leaves will turn is a tricky process. Peak leaf color is, as you may be aware, determined by various weather conditions, including the amount of rainfall, sunshine, temperature, Mrs. Sweeney's (Tinmouth, Vermont) arthritis, etc.
All of these factors combine in a complex, scientific manner to determine timing and vibrancy of leaf color, and when the interaction between these factors is JUST right, get ready, because just before the leaves turn brilliant red, yellow, and orange, along will come a torrent of wind and rain that tears the leaves from the trees before they have even had time to THINK about turning colors.
At least that seems to be how it works at our house. When I mentioned that the leaves turn vibrant colors in some locations, I did not mean OUR location. Although we are surrounded by many impressive trees, they are all underachievers when it comes to fall color, preferring to simply turn an unimpressive brown before falling to the ground.
Many other people also suffer from a dearth of color in their areas, which often leads to the fall phenomenon alluded to earlier, known as leaf peeping. Leaf peeping, while not nearly as illegal as it sounds, is nevertheless a pleasant diversion that tourists appreciate mainly because they know they do not have to clean up all those leaves when they fall.
Due to earlier technical difficulties, and the Princess's bedtime, we must leave off our narrative at this point, but it will be continued.
3 comments:
Did you have a good time??
Terrible time -- what with the pretty scenery, days off work, someone else cooking our meals -- just terrible.
...GOOD!
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