"MLD" wrote in message news:%8HZc.7983$TG.293@trndny01...

"Heather Morrison" wrote in message
...

"MLD" wrote in message
news:j9jZc.870$3Q5.118@trndny06...
End of October is iffy especially the further North you go. The roads
are
fine--after Labor Day the traffic thins out considerably. Maybe
heading
South on a late Sunday afternoon it might get busy but nothing like a
summer
day. In my opinion, the foliage thing is greatly overblown--maybe
because
I
am right in the middle of it and just take it for granted. That's
not
to
say taking a vacation through NE is bad--this is great vacation
country,
winter or summer. Of course, one must remember, eventually the leaves
fall
down. The clean up is a big PIA especially since I am right next to a
wooded area and the wind always empties the trees in my back yard.
Don't
come back with "leave them there"--they pile up so high that left over
the
winter they'll kill the grass.
MLD


I understand what you are saying somewhat. I live in Nova Scotia,
Canada.
The "glories" of autumn arrive here too...especially in Cape Breton in
the
Highlands and along the Margaree Valley.

Autumn is actually my favourite season here. I love the crisp air and
the
glorious fall sunshine. I am headed to the White Mountains too this
year.
We
have to go to the states for another reason...Leominster, Mass.... and
are
going to drive home by diverting through the mountains. We have been
there
many times.

My partner is Danish, living most of the time in Denmark, the foliage
change
fascinates him. He loves..as do I..the beautiful colour changes of the
sugar
maples etc. He is also going to help me rake up my yard after the first
big
blow that takes most of them down. This is when they are wet and heavy
and
mucky to clean up. I left them one year..and yes..they ruined chunks of
our
yard. Then again over the years we have used them for decorations and
created wonderful things with them. I actually painted my dining room a
lovely autumn orange colour specifically because it has HUGE windows
that
look out onto a Maple grove and in fall the whole room and outdoors has
the
most lovely warm glow.

The White Mountains are wonderful to visit anytime. So if people miss
the
foliage (late october seems late for the leaves) there are plenty of
wonderful sites to see and things to do. This time we are going to hike
the
flume gorge and some other less known trails. We have already booked our
cabins and hotels to assure we have that cabin with the fireplace
nestled
amongst the trees.

I am still devasted from a distance about the loss of the "old man of
the
mountain". I haven't been in Franconia since the loss and know it will
be
difficult to see...or not see as it is.

Yup ..I empathize with your raking etc...but to those who don't
experience
those glorious transformations of four separate seasons..the foliage
"shows"
are spectacular when they get to actually see one. Nothing like a full
set
of rolling hills alight with the splendour of Autumn leading down to a
meandering river ...waiting for the flash of silver as the salmon leap!

toodles

HeatherM

Just came back from visiting Halifax. Lived there for 5 years eons ago.
Went to Dalhousie and then to NS Technical College. Am in Mass but only
30
min south of NH along Rt 95. As far as the leaves---I now use a lawn
tractor
to round them up and by time I get through beating them up there is a long
row of chopped up/shredded leaves that takes a short time to clean up.
Have
to do it about three times though but it sure beats days and days and days
of raking.
MLD



The lawn tractor sounds like a lovely idea! I live on Dal Campus. My
backyard is adjacent a small grove of maple and oak that belongs to Dal. So
I am fortunate that Dal has most of the "raking" to do.

I hope you hit Halifax when we were having some good weather. It hasn't been
a bonus summer here so far but fall is starting to burnish nicely.

The students are back and wandering around the neighbourhood like manic
ants. I will increase my music repetoire for the next two weeks as they
settle in..blaring their return from flats and residences. I will be finding
the small brown glass treasures on my doorstep..half empty..and empty..left
while they have relieved themselves in my driveway...my dog is better
trained than some.

I do thrive on their enthusiasm and energy. Their boisterious noises and
spontaneous behaviours can be entertaining. I only interfere with their
lifestyles if there is a pattern of consistency that affects my day to day
life. It is interesting to note that a good number of these go on to be some
of the most productive people in society. How they get from the behaviour of
these few weeks and ensuing pre-holiday/after exams/moving on parties and
gatherings to that stage in thier lives is a mystery to me! Although..I did
it..I think (forced amnesia).

So you must..possibly..could be...somewhere close to Newberry..and Plum
Island? Lovely area. Of course as a Nova Scotian..I must ask..do you miss
Keith's! *G*. I only occasionaly partake but it does go down smooth on a
good day after the beach. I prefer an Old Peculiar but nothing soothes the
soul like a good cuppa tea.

toodles

HeatherM