Autumn

When I lived in Pennsylvania, the hardwood trees put on quite a show in autumn. Along with the cool weather, harvest and start of many holidays, my drive home from work was full of exciting sights. Starting as I entered a valley, there was a farm with a vegetable stand. While all their produce was grown on their property, they had also planted a corn field in a maze pattern instead of the usual neat rows. There were two observation towers built in the field. Once the corn reached around six feet tall, the maze was offered for adventure with spotters in the towers to assist the truly lost. Next to the corn maze was a field of pumpkins that offered pick-your-own options. During the week school groups arrived to tackle the maze and decorate pumpkins. On the weekends, it was families enjoying an outing in the crisp fall air. As I get lost in my own back yard, I never tried to follow the maze.

Past the corn maze and pumpkin patch was a sizable field that ended in a bowl-shaped forest. The road traversed the side of the hill looking down into the valley. The forest was populated with hardwood trees and was the first area in which the leaves started to change colors. Reds, greens and yellows of all shades would sparkle in the sun, looking like a giant bowl of Trix cereal.

Further west was a side road. A short distance to the north was a winery nestled in the foothills. In the old barn was a tasting room. Next to the barn was a cafe offering hand-made pizzas baked in a wood-fired brick oven. Enjoyed with a glass of wine, it was a treat that was hard to beat.

Heading back west, I would climb a short, steep hill. At the top was an old hotel. The hotel had started as a resort more than 200 years ago. The building was three stories high and massive. It stood vacant for many years until a couple bought it in the late 1990s. The first summer they attempted to use it as an “antique mall”, but that business failed. Noting the hotel had what is referred to as “good bones” (pun intended) they decided to turn it into a “haunted hotel” for the Halloween season. Their idea was so successful it is now one of the highest rated haunted houses in America. I am afraid of my own shadow so I have never taken the tour. Judging by the lines of people winding their way into the parking lot and waiting half an hour or more to take the tour, I guess this puts me in to minority.

There are many ways to enjoy autumn. Whether it is the fabulous assortment of colors or a man-made adventure, the cool temperatures call you to take advantage of all that is offered.