 Region:
Statewide |
Have A Nice Trip?
See Ya This Fall!If you’re like me, you’re
thrilled that fall is upon us. No more hot, humid, muggy days where you would give just
about anything to be in an air-conditioned room. Now, we can really enjoy the great
outdoors and not even break a sweat. I know, some of you are thinking, “But I love
the summer, I hate when it ends.” That’s true, there are a lot of activities
such as swimming that we won’t be partaking in much longer, but just think how
beautiful autumn is! Brilliant bronzes, glorious golds, beautiful burgundies, radiant
russets....Oh!, those dazzling deciduous trees.
Grab your camera and join me in some fall
foliage frolicking. Pennsylvania is one of the best states in our nation to really get a
glimpse of the changing of the seasons. In fact, a lot of people are banking that
you’ll do just that. (For many regions of the state, tourism is at its peak in
autumn.) The Pennsylvania Center for Travel, Tourism and Film even has an 800 phone number
(1-800-FALL-IN-PA) where you can call 24 hours a day to get weekly updates on where the
changing of the colors is at its peak. The good (automated) folks there can provide you
with a packet of information, including a state map, to help you plan your journey.
You don’t know where to go
to catch a glimpse of this glory? Well, more than half of the state is covered by forests
with more than 120 different varieties of trees. (The primary color-producing species of
trees in Pennsylvania are maples, hickories and oaks.) There are State Parks in every
region. (In fact, there is a State Park within 25 miles of every resident of
Pennsylvania.) The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon offers spectacular scenery in any season, but
the fall is fabulous. Along the Delaware River you can discover dazzling displays of
color. You name it. Just pick a place, get in your vehicle and go!
When to go is probably more
important. The leaves are already beginning to turn in some areas. However, they start to
change and peak at various times in the different regions of the state. The leaves change
color in response to less daylight. Therefore, the northern region’s leaves change
first, because it loses daylight hours a little earlier than the central and southern
regions. To plan your excursion use the map below to determine the best time to visit each
region.
Northern Region
peaks during the first two weeks of October |
Central Region
peaks during the middle two weeks of October |
Southern Region
peaks during the last two weeks of October |
I hope you’ll enjoy this fall as much
as I do. And, when you’re sipping your cider, think of me.
--- Sandra Lee
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