(Chelsea Update would like to thank Tom Hodgson and the Waterloo Natural History Association for the information and photos in this column.)
Local fall color is at its peak now and should stay at maximum through Wednesday barring heavy rains or high winds. So, this is the last chance to enjoy the leaves in all their glory before the color season ends and the raking season begins.
The early colors of sumac and red maple are still visible. The oaks, hickories and tamarack are now beginning to turn, which indicates the end of what has been beautiful fall season. The cool, moist summer, the lack of early frosts, and the abundance of fall sunshine have made this one of the most colorful fall seasons in recent memory.
Free crane and color tour maps are available at the Discovery Center to help everyone enjoy the color show. Just pick up a map and follow the color tour route marked in red. The tour will take leaf peepers along the park’s scenic back roads, through farm country and past fields where sandhill cranes are feeding.
There is no need to travel north to see spectacular fall color this year. The Chelsea area with its glacial hills, abundant wetlands and pastoral scenes, rivals any leaf peeping experiences that one can have by going to the North Country. The Big 400 and the local chambers of commerce should seriously consider promoting our area as a destination for fall colors watchers.
The Discovery Center is already providing the information visitors need to maximize their experience. What is lacking is a coordinated effort to make potential visitors aware of the opportunities. It would be great to have local shops, restaurants and motels filled with leaf peepers every October.
Please enjoy the photo gallery from Tom Hodgson below.
