‘FALL HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE SEASON’

            "Autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it" - Lee Maynard, American novelist

Cool, crisp days and chilly nights. The coziness of hooded sweatshirts and soft flannel. The sound of migrating geese high overhead, their honking one of nature’s most musical medleys. Long walks in the woods with brightly-colored leaves rainin' down all around, and whole mountainsides in a variety of colors, vibrant in autumn’s splendor.

Multi-colored ears of Indian corn, tall corn stalks tied into shocks, and pumpkins of every size and shape. Homemade fudge, caramel-covered apples, boiled peanuts, and twangy ice-cold apple cider. Watchin’ lye soap and sorghum molasses bein’ made durin’ ‘old timer’s days’. The sounds of hammered dulcimers, mandolins, banjos, and fiddles, reelin’ off foot-tappin’, feel-good mountain music, accompanied by gaily dressed cloggers. Homemade fried apple pies and that oh-so-wonderful, powdered ambrosia called the Funnel Cake; and wanderin’ down row after row of booths admirin’ the many crafts bein’ peddled at one of the numerous October festivals.

Frosty mornings campin’, when the light frost crunches underfoot and you can see your breath. The heady smell of freshly perked coffee, and big, hearty breakfasts of biscuits and gravy, pancakes and sausage, and bacon and eggs. The loud and raucous chatter of a startled 'Mountain Boomer' or red squirrel high in a tree overhead, and the hauntingly beautiful sound of a bull elk buglin’ a challenge to his rivals in Cataloochee valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Watchin' the sunset through yellow, orange, and red trees, as the shadows grow longer and the days shorter. Sittin' by a cracklin’ fire with the smell of wood smoke driftin’ on the breeze. A bowl of delicious homemade chili and a cup of steamin’ hot chocolate. The beauty of a deep night sky blanketed with stars that seem brightest when seen from a campsite deep in the mountains. And the warmth of a bed covered with patchwork quilts on a cold October night.

For these reasons and so many more, fall has always been… and always will be… my favorite time of year. This fall, get outside, head for the mountains, go campin’ or hikin’ or just explore… but whatever you do, enjoy this most wonderful season to the fullest! Make memories to keep you another year.

"OCTOBER'S PARTY"

October gave a party; the leaves by hundreds came

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, and leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet, and everything was grand;

Miss Weather led the dancing; Professor Wind the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow, the Oaks in crimson dressed;

The lovely Misses Maple, in scarlet looked their best;

All balanced to their partners, and gaily fluttered by;

The sight was like a rainbow new fallen from the sky.

Then, in the rustic hollow, at hide-and-seek they played,

The party closed at sundown, and everybody stayed.

Professor Wind played louder; They flew along the ground;

And then the party ended... in jolly "hands around."

                                                                                                - George Cooper