Today's stop on our Fall Color Tour speaks to that desire to get outside and enjoy the season. So load up the car with a wool blanket, your hiking boots, a picnic and take to the open road...
Whether you're a city girl or a country boy, grew up on a farm or in the concrete jungle, there is something soothing about taking a leisurely drive down a country lane or dirt road to a find secluded picnic spot.
State parks are wonderful places to find a day hike, an short walk to a waterfall, or beautiful landscape by which to open a picnic basket, enjoy some apple cider or pumpkin spice coffee and breathe in the crisp fall air.
Places such as this water wheel mill aren't as unusual as you may think. A quick google or bing search for day hikes in your local area may turn up more treasure troves than you ever dreamed. I recently found a whole "village" within an hour's drive of our hometown.
How about a bike ride? Come on...how long has it been? Remember the feel of the wind in your hair, the freedom of the open road. State and local parks are wonderful areas to ride during the fall. You don't have to go far...you just have to go.
This, I believe is the epitome of a gorgeous fall hike. It reminds me of so many we've taken in the Great Smokey Mountains and in the nature conservatory beside our neighborhood.
I don't know if I've ever told you, but our subdivision backs up to a nature conservatory. There are hikes and bike trails, farm animals to feed, historical building to visit and tour. It's spectacular in the fall. As soon as I see the first yellow leaf out my kitchen window I start planning a day trip. We pack a picnic basket, a few water bottles, I load up my camera and we go. We take apple slices for the horses and the mules (Taco and Salsa) and we take stale bread for the cows and goats. Oh, and there is a barn cat that just simply can't be ignored...he won't let you.
I can't wait for the first cool day of autumn so we can walk over to the Black Acre and enjoy a beautiful day of hiking and nature.
Where are your favorite local haunts this time of year?
Only By His Grace,
Billie