The first whiff of wood burning…
The first tree to go rogue and change to brilliant orange, red and yellow…
The school bus making its rounds…
For local businesses, the immediate plunge in customers… for a week or so…
Fall in the Adirondack mountains is about as good as it gets. So many tourists walk away and don’t come back till after Memorial Day, but I would argue that this is when things become magical. Fall prepares us for winter. Winter. Winter?
For some reason, while I’m in the work-week mode in Albany, I dread winter. It means diminished parking in the lots as snowbanks accumulate, as well as the horrendous Snow Emergency days when odd/even parking means you’re better off taking a bus, even parking at Crossgates and bussing in from there. Winter means ugly shoes for work, or ruin the shoes that look great with your outfit. Winter means coat on, coat off, coat on, coat off between office and teaching space. Winter in Albany is only brightened by an occasional Starbucks offering, salt and caramel anything being the most decadent delight of all!
In contrast, once we get in the car and head north in the winter, we get excited. It ripples through the car! Snow is once again beautiful. It rests on pine boughs, dropping off occasionally to create a mini snowstorm below the branch. The air is crisp, and boots are toasty, and happily match the outfit of fleece and layers. Static electricity in your hair is funny, not an annoyance, and extra mittens abound.
Winter in the Adirondack mountains is about finding an activity that you can do outside: skiing, ice fishing, or maybe just walking the dog. The contrast of hot and cold is life confirming: winter sun warms while the air chills.
And fall announces her impending arrival.
Cue ripple of excitement.
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