First Day of Fall Hike
First Day of Fall Hike:
As we wave goodbye to Summer, we welcome the Fall Equinox; days are starting to get shorter and the nights are getting longer. The 2020 fall equinox arrives in the Northern Hemisphere on September 22, 2021. Join Joe Wheeler State Park Naturalist on the First Day of Fall Hike through our Champion Trail!
WHAT DOES THE FALL EQUINOX MEAN?
Astronomically it’s the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading south. Thus, the fall (and spring) equinoxes provide Earth with roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. Oh, and after another blazing hot summer, the first day of fall signals cooler weather. From the time of the Druids, the fall equinox signaled the end of the harvest. Then, winter preparations began. Families celebrated with parties and other social gatherings. Autumn lasts until the winter solstice. Today, city dwellers often head to the countryside — for example, rural New England, to take in the changing colors of the leaves. Symbolically, the fall equinox reminds us to be grateful for the “harvests” in our own lives over the course of the year. This fall equinox, take time to reflect on the bounty of nature and the possibilities for abundance in every part of your amazing life.
WHERE ARE THE BEST FALL COLORS?
Nature puts on quite a show in autumn. The rotating colors of leaves — from green to red to rust to bright gold — signals the inevitable changing of the seasons. Here are six of the top places to watch:
1.) Kyoto, Japan: Check out Tofukuji, a large 13th-century Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto, famous for spectacular autumn colors. Don’t miss the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees. Fall colors peak in mid November.
2.) New England: The fun begins in late September with a burst of color throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Things move south by late October — where you’ll find the best autumn views (and hues) in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
3.) Iceland: Aim for September and October when prices tend to drop. Get set for gorgeous autumn colors, the first snow, and even the Northern Lights!
4.) Chicago: Joy Morton envisioned a “great outdoor museum” of trees when he established The Morton Arboretum in 1922. It’s a 1,700-acre autumn paradise just 30 miles west of downtown.
5.) Ontario: Colorful Canada! Red maple, yellow poplar, and white birch make Ontario’s landscape a must-see autumn affair. Try an aerial or rail tour for even more spectacular views.
6.) Bavaria (Germany): Catch autumn fairs and festivals throughout the season. Experts recommend one of the many “pilgrim paths” that run through Bavaria. The King Ludwig trail is a highlight.
FALL EQUINOX TRADITIONS:
1.) Pumpkin this and pumpkin that
It started innocently enough. A simple, sweet coffee drink that went well with the falling temperatures. But now, the Pumpkin-Spiced Latte has spawned a cottage industry of pumpkin-spiced foods, from beers and breads to cocktails and savory meals. Its arrival is arguably even more awaited than the equinox itself, and for many, the combo of pumpkins and spice reminds us that fall has arrived.
2.) It kicks off the holiday season
From Jack O'Lanterns, Halloween and decorative gourds to Sunday afternoon football and Thanksgiving; the holiday season officially starts with the coming of fall. Once those first Halloween decorations go up, your house probably won’t look the same until after the New Year. Get used to it.
3.) It's cozy
After a long summer of travel and adventures, sometimes there's nothing better than chilling inside on the couch all day. A dreary autumn day is the perfect time to catch up on the latest Netflix shows and to doze with one eye open while watching your favorite gridiron team on Sundays. These are perfect fall days.
When: September 22, 2021 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Champion Trail (end of Lodge parking lot)
