Falling for autumn in Boundary County
Photo by DON BARTLING Fall shows its mosaic of different colors on the banks of Deep Creek, as seen from the Deep Creek Bridge as it flows into the Kootenai River.
“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” — Henry David Thoreau
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and beauty is easy to observe in Boundary County, especially during the fall. It seems like the fall colors are the smiles of nature, now that we are in October.
Labor Day has come and gone, the weather is finally cooling down, and the leaves are gradually starting to change. Now we can finally say “goodbye” to summer. And, that means saying “hello” to one of the most beautiful times to be in Boundary County.
Fall is especially magical for many reasons, but the most significant is changing of the leaves from their luscious green to golden yellows and crimson reds.
Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable this time of year ... the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along a country road, by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese. Autumn is my favorite, the season of the year that seems to be put here just for the beauty of it.
Fall is a cornucopia of seasonal treats, colored leaves, fall sports, pumpkin in everything you can think of, even the “horn of plenty.” Boundary County’s climate, people and culture make it a perfect place to enjoy autumn.
Like most areas with cooler climate in the fall, Boundary County becomes a mosaic of different colors as soon as autumn rolls around. Bright greens give way to yellows. reds and oranges. Of course, the colors are short-lived, as they fade to a brown and gray toward the end of October. But for a few weeks, we get to enjoy the visual spectacle of nature.
Autumn is a great season for wildlife watchers because so many animals are out looking to fatten up before the cold months make foraging difficult. Take a hike through Boundary County forests and along its streams, and you’re bound to find all kinds of critters getting ready for winter. It’s also a great time of years to spot migratory birds passing through on their way south.
It is like every other season crammed into one from start to finish — fall in Boundary County might bring every kind of weather. It might be 80 degrees and sunny one day, and 20 degrees and snowy the next. You might see blue skies and you might see a thunderstorm. You’ll see the green grass and leaves of summer and the bare branches of winter. Shorts and T-shirts give way to jackets, hats and gloves as the season wears on. Unpredictable weather might not always be a great thing, but at least there’s something for everyone.
Fall is a delightful experience in Boundary County that hopefully inspires you to head outside and feel the leaves crunching under your feet.