Leaf-peeping season–it’s sneaking in on little cat feet

Maples are changing first

When driving around town and visiting other nearby towns to share pictures of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, I’ve kept my eyes peeled, watching for hints that leaf-peeping season is upon us. The drought of this year has skewed the results, so to speak. Trees damaged by gypsy moths are showing signs of stress, shifting into fall sooner than normal. Trees weakened by lack of water, and salt–like along the highways–are moving into fall foliage high gear.

Silver Lake offers a perfect mirror for fall color

Just when leaves are changing, a heavy rainstorm will probably sweep all the color off the trees and onto our yards–can you say “leaf-raking”? Not to worry, the rain of the past few days has been gentle and drizzly, hardly enough to keep us indoors, and certainly not anything that will knock all our coveted color from the trees.

The island in the middle of Silver Lake is showing hints of color near the shore

I’m still recovering from some pinched nerves in my shoulder, and praise be, the best therapy for me? Walking, using my walking sticks–weight-bearing exercise. Yeah! After lunch I headed out on my well-worn path alongside Silver Lake, and found hints of color. Yes, there is still time to get out and soak up the views.

Fall is here

I have several walks in mind for the upcoming week or two. Knuckup Hill in Wrentham is where you can grab a great view with a relatively short climb. Hopedale Parklands is a fun walk with a grandgirl and boy–just what the doctor ordered, I’m sure. The tow path at Riverbend Farm in Uxbridge is sure to offer some great views of fall foliage.

And how about a walk along the Neponset Reservoir in Foxboro–the Lane property? Or the Walpole town forest–two great spots for river views of the Neponset River.

There are so many outdoor places to choose from, but as I was reminded today, sometimes your own back yard is the very best place to enjoy the show New England puts on every fall. It’s here, time to get outside, and even better to share it with friends and family. Enjoy!

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors, and is the author of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, More Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed, and Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. Her memoir, the backstory of Easy Walks, is My Liturgy of Easy Walks: Reclaiming hope in a world turned upside down.