As it turned out, much to my disappointment, I was not able to go with my original tentative plan for a trip to Illinois this fall. I hoped to make it happen at this time figuring that somewhere between here and there at the end of October I'd be treated to the beauty of the fall leaves through the mountains, it really was decided all around the leaves, to be able to enjoy their short offering of unique beauty. Illinois is where I was born and raised, I still have family and friends there, so it would also have been good to be able to re-connect, but it was not to be, not this year.
Georgia however, was do-able! It came right down to the day before leaving to finally just give in to the pull of the fleeting opportunity, it was now or wait 365 days for another chance. I really didn't think I could afford to do it financially, I really didn't think I could afford not to do it spiritually! I needed refreshment, uplifting, invigoration, rejuvenation. I needed to live a little life outside it's usual boundaries.
Completely unsure of what to expect, relying on hope and intuition, I set out on my adventure. I visited my parents and brother a couple hours away, stopped in Mt Dora for a peek at the annual craft show the town hosts, something I hadn't done in a bunch of years, and from there headed toward Atlanta, planning to spend the day at Stone Mountain. I wasn't sure if that was far enough north to see the leaves change, but I also had spoken with a friend all the way up in the more mountainous northeast corner of the state that I intended to visit, so I thought if the leaves were not changed in Stone Mountain, maybe they would be nearer to my friends house.
It was several hours to drive from Mt Dora to Stone Mountain. When I arrived where I was ready to stop for the night it had been dark for a couple hours.
I'm usually not excited about finding a hotel, so it was with relief and pleasant surprise when I found the one I did, and at a great price! I really hit it off with the woman who worked the front desk, Linda, she even gave me a discount as an industry employee, It felt like a sign of more good things to come!
In my room I enjoyed a cup of coffee, a hot bath, and a little cable TV. I went to the business center to see what the computer indicated for the next days weather and a leaf watch update. The prognosis was not good, a storm was pushing in, and the leaf watch had not been updated for several days, I fell asleep not having a good sense for what the day would hold.
I awoke to thunderstorms.
Breakfast was hot and relaxing, so in light of the weather I lingered, looked at the weather on the computer, saw that there were tornado warnings in the very area I happened to be, and frantically considered what alternatives I might choose. Everything really was just not a feasible option for the time and money I was able to invest, but the thought of not seeing the beautiful leaves I'd come so far to see was painful! Check out was noon, so I hung around until to my delight the clouds started to break up, allowing the faintest rays of sun to show through. About 11:30 I said to myself, self, just do what you'd planned, what will be will be.
As I drove the interstate toward the state park My eyes teared up to see trees wearing their fall outfits of yellow, and orange, and even red, a sight I was unable to see as I drove to my destination the night before in the dark. I said thank you Lord, thank you Lord, thank you Lord, repeatedly! I was so relieved to know my trip would offer what I'd hoped!
Entering the state park, driving along the hilly winding road, I could see sun shining on the trees reflected in a lake. I walked, took pictures, picnicked, took pictures, toured Antebellum Plantation, took pictures, and smiled with a thankful heart for the privilege to be there.
I had to find a hotel for that night so I left the park about dusk, having fully enjoyed my time, anticipating what was still ahead.
After a good night's sleep I would venture on a couple hours further northeast to my friends house. When I spoke with her she said the storms had been there, stripping a lot of the leaves from the trees but they were still pretty. That drive deeper into the mountains was so peaceful and beautiful, even as the sun played hide and seek in the clouds. When it lighted the colors of the trees they glowed, when it dipped behind a cloud the colors took on a whole different appearance, no less beautiful. I felt like I'd been given the special gift of every possible lighting effect for my Autumn leaf viewing.
Visiting old friends is a treat in itself, let alone in the fall mountains. They took me to some spots that highlighted the leaf viewing experience, even graciously stopping anywhere it looked like a good picture might be taken! It sprinkled a little, but instead of dampening the experience, it was enhanced with the addition of a rainbow! We dined on fried green tomato's and fried chicken at Pat's place, and we shopped at Mercier's orchard for fresh picked apples and cider. We took the long winding road on the "back way" home, stopping to take pictures of several old dilapidated buildings, once someones home, abandoned, twisted and sagged, but somehow still barely standing. I love those buildings, they tell stories, ones I can only imagine, but I do love to imagine!
I stayed with my friends in their home that night, we laughed and enjoyed each other's company until it was a day well spent and had to call it quits.
It rained off and on all night, into the morning, as I began my trip back home, and for several hours into it. Even in the rain I felt the need to stop and take just one more picture, more than once!
As I headed south the rain subsided and the colors of fall receded in my rear view. I drove away reluctantly knowing it would be a long time, 365 days, before I might again be able to see them. But I had my pictures, both on my camera, and etched vividly in my grateful memory. I did it, I was there, present for the 2010 leaf viewing season. WooHoo for this Florida girl!
P.J.
I decided to buy a ticket to far
packed a bag and got in the car,
headed north on 75
to see to breathe to be alive.
It's mountain air I need to breathe,
take a gander at colored leaves,
oxygenate my city nose
with country air, down to my toes!
point my feet through Autumn's woods
a change of scenery'll do me good.
make a little time for me,
away from daily monotony,
refresh, re-spark, rejuvenate,
time is short, the leaves don't wait
when trees put on their finest gown
right before they fade to brown,
a little wind, a little rain,
soon strip the branches bare again.
Can't wait 365 days
for another chance, I'll go today!
Just me and my car out for a drive,
to see, to breathe, to be alive!
