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Golds, emeralds, crimsons

Every few years I get lucky. The way my travel chips fall, I get two fall foliage seasons in, one in Colorado and then a second one by the time I’m back in New York. Oftentimes the seasons peak at different points.

It looks like 2021 will be another double magical fall foliage season for me.

Someone once commented to me they detest autumn because they see the leaves dying and it’s depressing. After they expressed that, I couldn’t help but integrate that concept into my view of the season. Yet, thankfully, it never became the dominant prism through which I see the beauty of the leaves.

The glowing streaks of golds, emeralds, crimsons, pinks and amethysts that paint the landscape are simply so beautiful. Drinking in this enchanting beauty of G-d’s world is so inviting.

The masterpiece of the deepening color streaks that transform our autumn landscapes and daily lives become like background to our activities. It’s so picturesque, it’s almost as though we could pause and frame the moment and hang it in our living room.

October just glides by in golden splendor. This time of year, some days feel so perfect in their special October light that they feel almost magical, as though there is gold dust in the air.

In Colorado, the special sight of the delicately tall and regal golden-leaved aspens, fluttering and shimmering away, makes for a signature autumn sight. Covering mountains or valleys, they stand at attention in their full unmatched beauty. There are a few spots where the aspens are planted in parallel rows that have curved toward each other, forming a canopy of golden aspen leaves. Simply stunning.

There’s a path like this in Summit County, and apparently a famous one in Winter Park as well.

Even in the city, though, as I drive through Denver, the words from Mr. Rogers children’s television programming will pop into my head, 
“ . . . it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!” Indeed!

And those Sweet Gum trees, as if they were painted and designed to showcase all the fall colors in one tree simultaneously. The variety of sprawling trees, gently raining down, carpeting the streets and lawns, are endless.

Granted, the awakening of spring has its be-still-my-heart moments, the ripeness of summer too, and I am mesmerized by the stunning beauty of fresh snowfalls, the refined crystalline snow enrobing my world; but with fall foliage I can enjoy it all without protective accessories needed and without my teeth chattering!

I have yet to travel one of the Colorado fall foliage train rides in the mountains. One day!

In Colorado fall foliage is an organically unfolding season enjoyed naturally by all, the New York City fall foliage is almost a cultural activity that’s somewhat marketed.

I will board one of my usual train routes on the Metro North rides from Grand Central Station that takes you through the Hudson Valley, whose changing leaves just burn up in vibrant color.

At this point in my life, this Grand Central ritual is quintessential October in New York City for me. The overflowing farmers markets that beckon and the perfection of the weather make October in New York City a gem. But there’s just something extra about those stained colored leaves.

Denver and Colorado in general are almost always perfect, so a standout season isn’t as much of a standout as the draping of grime and concrete with the cloak of swirls of merging color all around that the month of October brings to New York City.

Wherever you may be, all aboard to you on whatever walking path, ride, route or train you will be taking through this gorgeous fall foliage season.

Enjoy!!

Copyright © 2021 by the Intermountain Jewish News



Tehilla Goldberg

IJN columnist | View from Central Park


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