A tingle runs through the autumn air. The sweet smoke from a wood fire comes down the breeze, and far away a dog barks. It’s one of those days when the morning opens like an invitation. The sun slips over the mountain laurel of the Snowbird Mountains, shooting long lances to catch the forest tree-tops. Along the ridges and in the valleys the explosion of color has begun. Autumn’s glory is spreading across the land. The back roads are calling.
The greatest show on earth is underway. The woods are hanging out their banners among the maple and poplar, red oak and black. The sun shines through its autumn tints. It’s a splendor as American as pumpkin pie. The Virginia creeper is beginning to pour down its molten color. The soft maples are gold above and silver below. The beeches are rustling with gilt flakes. Along the roadside there’s the amazing purple of the blackberry leaf. There’s the russet of turning grasses where the crickets chant. As
October’s skies grow higher and bluer and deeper, the landscape becomes more and more splashed with color. Each day the red and gold and russet patches more brightly the forest walls. The dogwood is red with berries. The viburnums are tinged with purple. The white limbed birches are turning gold. The Sourwood, beloved of the bees for the fine honey it makes, glows scarlet. The white ash is turning mauve and bluish bronze. The wild hazel is putting on a dress of soft salmon and rose pink. The fruit of the pokeberry hangs like so many tiny bottles of burgundy.
The signature of autumn’s hand is showing on every tree and bush. Even the home folks are excited by this festival of color. They are taking to the back roads into the high hills this weekend and each weekend that follows until the frost and wind finally put out autumn’s torch. They follow the color parade as it marches down from the high places into the valleys. They walk in the aura of glory on leaf quilted trails. Already there’s a spark of flame on a thousand hillsides and in a thousand coves and valleys.
There is a tingle in the autumn air that sets the gypsy blood astir!