I love fall, just as much as the next person, maybe even more. I may not partake in the pumpkin-spice craze that seems to sweep the world around this time of year, but I do love the changing of seasons, the clothes, football, campfires, and of course, the beautiful colors.
One of the perks of living in Boone is definitely the
scenery. It’s hard not to marvel at the
mountains even in the midst of a bad day or when you’re driving to your fourth
preschool of the day. Even when you’re
already in Boone, the mountains continue to call. This time of year, the colors are
amazing. Even after two weeks of
constant rain and a year that supposedly isn’t the top of the leaf looking
continuum, the beauty is undeniable.
Because of that beauty, Boone becomes a magnet in the
fall. A magnet for the infamous
“leaf-lookers.” I’ll avoid name calling
here, but I will admit that sometimes it isn’t fun to try to take the parkway
when there’s a fifty car line, all going ten miles an hour, all with license
plates proudly bearing the name “Florida.”
If you’re ever in Boone during the month of October, don’t even try to
eat at the Dan’l Boone Inn.
For some reason, this year, more than any other, I’ve been
approached by these wonderful visitors.
Maybe we’ve been in extra tourist-y spots, maybe we’re approachable
because of the social butterfly that is Amelia or maybe we just look like we
are leaf connoisseurs. The main
question that is thrown our way is the same every time…”so, when is peak?”
When this happens, Adam and I take deep breaths, assure
these visitors that it’s definitely “peak” or close to it and that if they
drive up the parkway, they’ll be confident that their eight hour drive to look
at an annual occurrence was totally worth it.
As soon as they walk away, we make at least fifteen minutes worth of
jokes about the leaf-looking phenomenon.
I honestly do understand that it’s beautiful. I’m not denying that. I’m even completely jealous of my parents’
upcoming train ride through the mountains, all to see leaves.
All of that aside, I will admit that I do lose my patience
when asked the notorious “peak” question. Appreciate the beauty, if you drove
for hours to get here, you’ll find it.
Don’t worry about whether or not it would look slightly different in two
days or fifty miles down the road or if the colors don’t “pop” as much this
year. Also, evergreens can be pretty
too.
And anyway, why’s it always about color? Adam and I have decided to raise Amelia to be
accepting of all sizes, shapes and colors of leaves. They’re all a part of nature as a whole and
they’re all beautiful in their own way.
