Fall in the Northeast is quite famously a stunning time of year. The foliage turns shades of red, orange, and yellow rivaled only by certain parts of Japan in its vivacity, and people come from all over the world to see it.
However, for leaf-peeping trips, the timing is vital, and sometimes it can be hard to predict when the best colors will be. Generally, the farther north you go, the earlier the leaves turn their fall colors. This means that while the mountains and northern NH might be prime for leaf-peeping one day, the same day in southern NH could leave you disappointed by the lush green leaves. A good way to avoid being too early (or too late!) is to check the predictions for foliage and plan accordingly.
But what do you do when you’ve already got Fall Fever and mother nature just won’t speed things up?
Here’s some ideas that keep that fun fall feeling- even before the foliage peaks!
Get Outside!
Visit an apple orchard.
While this quintessential fall activity may conjure up memories of cool autumnal days wrapped in sweaters and scarves, many apples actually blossom and ripen long before then. In our region of New Hampshire, try looking for Paula Red, Gala, Ginger Gold, and MacIntosh apples. They all ripen early in the season, anywhere from late august to mid-late September, depending on the variety.
Pick-your-own peaches.
Although peaches are often associated with summer, they can be enjoyed in the Seacoast region until mid-September. Check out a farm like DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH or McKenzie’s Farm in Milton, NH! This fun -and delicious- activity is a great way to hold you over until the pumpkin patches open for business.
Go Kayaking or canoeing.
7 Rivers 2 Coast is an excellent resource on local rivers and ponds in the New Hampshire Seacoast all the way up to the White Mountains. If you’re not already a kayaker or canoer, consider renting your gear or borrowing equipment from a friend before taking the plunge and buying your own. That way, you know you’ll be able to use it for a long time if and when you do commit!
It's important to note that even the calmest waters pose their own dangers, so make sure to brush up on your kayak safety before you hit the river. However, you also don’t have to let fear hold you back from a new experience!
Take a walk along Marginal Way in Ogunquit, ME.
This path is a classic for a good reason- the sea, salt, and rocky coastline make for a uniquely seacoast experience that could bring a smile to anybody’s face! The way is paved, and there are multiple entrance and exist points, but you should still be sure to wear good shoes and bring a water bottle to get the most of your walk. Save the flip-flops for Long Sands and Short Sands Beaches in York!
Get Crafty!
Plant your spring bulbs.
Have you been thinking about refreshing or completely redoing your garden? Fall may actually be the best time to do so! Many flowers that grow from bulbs need establish themselves in the ground before the first frost and experience the winter chill in order to put out the most beautiful springtime blooms.
Build a scarecrow.
Most of us already know how to make a scarecrow- but how many of us have actually done it? You can find inspiration and ideas for scarecrows online, and you can work with what you already have at home. You don’t need to have a sprawling field of crops to have a scarecrow, either. You can get creative! Do you have a tree trunk or stump in your yard that the scarecrow could ‘sit’ on? Do you have a porch railing your scarecrow could ‘lean’ on? These could be fun, surprising places to set your scarecrow, and add some autumn whimsy to your décor!
Make a Tree Impression.
Too early in the season to press vivid leaves between sheets of wax paper? Try this craft instead! You can trace a tree pattern by placing a piece of paper on the trunk and rubbing a colored pencil or crayon over it. This makes an impression of the tree’s bark, which you can either label, display, or use in other projects how you see fit. You could also take several samples of different trees and examine the differences in bark patterns between the different species.
Get Social!
Late summer into early fall is still full of great opportunities to meet up with members of your community. In many New Hampshire and Maine towns, it can actually be even more vibrant as the seasonal traffic starts to die down, and you’re more likely to meet and interact with year-round residents who have the inside scoop on local happenings.
Another way to get involved is to find events, classes, or clubs for activities that interest you. Many community locations will have information in the form of flyers, invitations, or bulletin board notices advertising local events you could attend, and so on. Some places to check for this information include libraries, post offices, grocery stores, or even unexpected places like gas stations or laundromats. Anywhere that people frequent on a regular basis, you’ve got a good chance of finding a community or micro-community just waiting to be joined.
Another great resource is to check places like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Searching terms like “events in (your town),” “clubs in (your county),” or “meet-ups near (location)” can all bring up results for activities that might interest you.
However, a note on this is to use caution and general internet safety guidelines if you’re ever meeting a person or transferring money online. While many people and venders are legitimate, there’s still plenty of unsavory types looking to take advantage of unsuspecting people. Talk to someone you trust offline before buying tickets or sending money through websites you’re not familiar with and always tell someone if you’re meeting a person (or people) before you go!
Nobody can predict exactly what Fall, or any part of the future, will look like. But, with a little forethought and good planning, you can avoid missing out on the parts that matter and enjoy the present as it is. Here at AZTEC Financial Group our goal is to help you with your own personal goals and planning so that you can be present for what matters the most to you. And as for me, personally? I plan to spend my almost-fall and autumn picking apples and making as many different apple recipes as I can find.
Next time you stop by the office, let us know how you’re spending your fall!