Viewing Fall Leaves: plan an easy outing
If you are planning a trip for viewing fall leaves, here are some tips from our recent outing.
It’s just like clockwork, we know it’s going to happen, but still, the glorious colors of fall seem to energize and invigorate us after a long hot summer. It’s nature’s way of saying, ‘Here’s your prize for surviving August!”
Recently, Terry and I decided to take a little time away from our day-to-day to get out to enjoy the colors of fall, the cooler temperatures and for viewing fall leaves. It was a delightful way to ‘unplug’, which is something we really need to set an intention of doing more often.
We were able to walk on one of our local nature trails, that have modest leaf color change. Those of you up north or out west will have so many more lovely fall leaf viewing opportunities. But nevertheless, we took advantage of this time away from our day-to-day to really just unwind.
A Plan for Viewing Fall Leaves:
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- Check out this interactive map to see when the leaves will be at their peak in various parts of the US. It’s pretty cool in that you slide the scale to the date you are considering and it will show you the foliage viewing in all parts of the U.S. If you are lucky enough to be in some of those peak viewing areas, you can make a little day trip out of it.
- Pack your camera. Make sure your battery is charged and you have lots of room on your SD card!
- Pack some simple snacks or beverages. A little trip meant to be relaxing should not start with a lot of effort…defeats the whole purpose. These little bags of Mini Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies from Walkers Shortbread and some spiced hot cider in a thermos (of course…how could I not?) were the perfect mid-afternoon snack for us.
If you are unfamiliar with Walkers Shortbread, these delicious shortbread cookies are an absolute favorite of mine. Still made in Scotland, Walkers Shortbread prides itself in being the World’s Finest Shortbread – and for good reason! Its pure-butter shortbread is made with just four simple, natural ingredients: flour, butter, sugar and a pinch of salt. So keep it simple and pop a bag (or two!) right into your picnic basket!
- We took along some books to read, leaving our phones muted so as not to disturb the peace of the day.
- Pack a thin piece of wood/cutting board to use as a makeshift ‘table’ so that your drinks are less likely to spill.
- Take along unbreakable cups and plates. I am not a big paper product user, so my light and unbreakable copper mugs worked perfectly.
- Pack a little bag for any trash you might generate on your leaf-peeping adventure.
- Depending on where you will be, you may still need sunscreen.
- Take along some wipes or napkins.
- As much as I hate to say it, you might want to toss in some bug spray…guess the mosquitoes like viewing fall leaves too!
Bookmark this page or pin the following image to refer back to these tips when you are planning your trip to go viewing fall leaves.
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Until next time…
Hugs,
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This is so lovely. Walkers shortbreads used to be my Grandma’s favorites. My dad would give her a big plaid tin every christmas. Whenever I have some with a cup of coffee I am brough right back to her kitchen table.
So funny, one of my best friends lives in England and sends us tins every year. I couldn’t even tell you how many empty Walker Shortbread tins I have! I hate to throw them out, they come in handy.
I love that the cookies bring you such lovely memories of your Grandma! You are blessed my friend.
Thanks for popping by.
Hugs ,Lynn
Lovely and your picnic was so prettily set up
Aw thanks, Sandy, truly was so easy. That lovely wool blanket has been ‘in the family’ since my parents were in college and that ‘cutting board’ was from a piece of wood I just rescued after the hurricane blew down the tree. That picnic basket? My mom picked that up in Hong Kong probably 40 years ago! It just all came together.
I do hope you get out and enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend.
Hugs, Lynn
Oh, just BEAUTIFUL! We are in N. VA and go at least once a year on our own to Shenandoah to hike the Little Stony Man trail, taking nibbles/drinks much like you packed. Every Fall, hubby gets a group from work to do that and we go hike Little Stony Man as a group, look at the view, talk some, and watch & listen for a while for the Peregrine Falcons that are around that area. Then we all hike back down and drive a hop & a skip down the road to Skyland Restaurant for lunch together. Then everyone breaks up to go do hikes or sights they want to go on, or head home. We love the Blackberry Cobbler at Shenandoah, but here is a secret – it is not as good at Skyland Restaurant as it is in the Tavern (NOT the restaurant) at Big Meadows Lodge, where it must be it’s own special recipe. SO yummy, and they often also have Blackberry Ice Cream that you can order on your cobbler. If you’re there at the right time, you can also listen to a live band.
Deeee-vine! Your blog post is so reminiscent of the loveliness of nature we see when we go to Shenandoah. The weather here is fairly coolish today, and I have the windows open to take advantage of the breezes we are having to air out the house. Your pics made me smile and look at them several times before heading to do the laundry. Thank you for sharing your jaunt with us all!
Oh, my dear Billie…thanks for sharing your Leaf Peeping outing with me! It sounds divine! Now that we are empty nesters, we are going to take more little weekend trips and I just added this one to our list…along with those restaurants!
We have our windows open today too…it is sheer bliss, isn’t it?! It’s been a long hot summer and I am so ready for this season.
Thanks again for taking the to drop a line, my friend. It makes me happy that it made you happy!
Have a fantastic weekend,
Hugs, Lynn
Mmmm. Walkers Shortbread cookies. And salted caramel? I think I’ve died and gone to cookie heaven! Our leaves are just beginning to change but I can’t wait to go leaf peeping. And I’ll be looking for those yummy cookies the next time I’m out!
Hey Angie, know it’s lovely up there where you are! Think Terry and I need to head that way next fall for a little leaf peeping trip. And what’s not to love about chocolate chip and salted caramel, right? Enjoy your leaf peeping my friend.
Hugs, Lynn
Are trees are about 50% changed now, but progressing fast now that the weather has cooled. I absolutely love an autumn stroll through the woods, and stopping for a picnic is such a great idea. We have a little Scottish shop in town that carries the Walkers shortbread and it is such a treat to pick up a package every now and then! BTW…not sure how your puppy was not sneaking a cookie or two!
Hey Maureen…Do you all have a World Market? We can get our Walkers there. And I’m sure it is just so lovely up there right now. Enjoy this beautiful time of the year my friend.
Hugs, Lynn
How did your sweet dog not eat those delicious looking cookies in that photo! Thanks for sharing about that peak leaf viewing map too. What fab ideas! 🙂
That pup of ours, Flora, is TOOOO good. She is so laid back and just sweet. Didn’t even think of chomping on the cookies…she’s a keeper. Hope you get some leaf viewing in up in your part of the world…should be lovely about now.
Happy weekend,
Hugs, Lynn
Leef peeping is now my absolute favorite term… I will have to find somewhere around here to talk a nature walk. Especially if I get to pack yummy cookies!
Hey Betsy,
Don’t you love it! Need to get out and peep some leaves this weekend…with cookies.