September 22nd marked the beginning of the fall season. As the weather cools off, bugs die down and colors burst into flame around the country, now is the time to get outside. Below we’ve rustled up posts from the archives that will inspire you to fall into the outdoors this autumn.
Jenny Anderson tells us how she takes full advantage of the cooler fall season, with her top 10 ways to get outdoors.
I love the outdoors, I truly do – minus the bugs, overly hot temperatures and ridiculously windy, cold weather. That’s why fall is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. It’s cold enough that the mosquitoes, biting flies, stinging bees and other pests are gone.
The autumn season is not too hot and not too cold. But the best part is the beauty that comes with the change in season. Fall colors are breathtaking and there are endless outdoor activities we can enjoy while admiring nature take its course. Here are some ideas to help you enjoy the outdoors more this fall.
Continue reading Jenny’s post, here.
Kayaking in the fall? Find out how to dress appropriately for autumn outdoor activities on the water.
If you’ve been thinking of kayaking in fall to take in the beautiful blazing colors of the leaves or get out and catch a few fish, there’s no better time than the present. Before you go, just make sure you know how to dress appropriately for autumn outdoor activities on the water.
Here are a few guidelines that cover how to prepare and what to wear on a fall foliage kayaking trip or kayak fishing trip:
Click here to continue reading this post from Take Me Fishing.
Want to check out the fall colors? Find out four unique ways to leaf peep from our friends at the National Park Foundation.
The following blog is an excerpt from 4 Unique Ways To Leaf Peep by the National Park Foundation.
When autumn is fast approaching, national parks from coast to coast offer some of America’s most extraordinary fall colors.
For many people, leaf-peeping activities are limited to taking a drive to a scenic overlook – and that’s just fine, but if you want to experience the autumn colors in a new way this season, these four parks each offer their own unique view.
New River Gorge National River
Whitewater enthusiasts may recognize West Virginia’s New River as one of the best rafting rivers in the nation. New River Gorge National River preserves 53 miles of free-flowing water surrounded by the lushly forested ridges of the Alleghenies, and while summer is the peak season for river trips, fall offers a unique opportunity to roar through the gorge surrounded by fiery hues of red, yellow, and orange.
Continue reading this post from National Park Foundation, here.
Lanny Barnes takes to the fall grouse hunting woods at high elevations in Colorado, along with her sister, niece and nephew.
Fall in the Colorado mountains brings crisp air, golden aspens and the promise of a great grouse season. Fall grouse hunting is a favorite for many outdoor enthusiasts, and those in my family know, it’s not just about the hunt – it’s about building memories, passing on traditions, ensuring safety and skill in the field and also, scouting for the upcoming big game seasons.
This fall, along with my sister, Tracy, and her kids, I hit the high-country mountains of southwestern Colorado to hunt grouse. Here are some things I learned along the way.
Caliber and Ammunition for Grouse
For grouse, a shotgun is generally the weapon of choice. A 20-gauge shotgun loaded with Field Dynamics (#7.5 or #8 shot ) from Fiocchi is ideal for these birds. The lighter recoil, yet still high velocity of the 20-gauge, makes it perfect for younger hunters or those just starting out, like Tracy’s niece and nephew, who are learning the ropes this season. For those who prefer a bit more punch, a 12-gauge also is effective, though it’s important to be mindful of shot placement to avoid excessive damage to the bird. I prefer the brand new Field Dynamics Upland Steel loads from Fiocchi so I don’t have to worry about lead in my game meat.
Click here to continue reading Lanny’s post.
Autumn can offer some of the best boating opportunities of the year, but it also comes with certain risks. Follow these three fall boating safety tips, plus learn about reusable winter boat covers from BoatUSFoundation.
For some boaters, fall is the best time for boating. Summer’s steamy days have surrendered to more comfortable temperatures, angling improves, and winds are stronger for sailing. It’s also time to embrace extra boating safety efforts for the season and look ahead to how you’re going to store your boat this winter. The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has three boating safety tips to consider, as well as some test results on the four main types of winter boat covers.
Continue reading the post from BoatUSFoundation, here.
Babbs and her family and friends shook and picked a few persimmon trees in November. She made this delicious persimmon bread recipe, and also, checked to see what the persimmons in her area predicted for winter weather!
If you mention persimmons to people, they will often pucker up – and for good reason. As Josh, from “State of the Ozarks” blog writes, “Before autumn brings a good, hard frost, persimmon fruit (resembling small pumpkins) is hard and a light-greenish yellow. The alum content of the persimmon is also so high, if you taste one, you might be puckered up for a week.” If you wait until after the first hard frost, the fruit changes drastically to a shade of reddish orange and the alum is replaced by sugar. This is when it’s perfect for persimmon bread.
We have a few wild persimmons in a grove here at our place in the Ozarks, so after the first frost in early November, we headed out and shook the trees to free the persimmons.
Let’s just say there was some ducking going on as a result of that exercise.
Click here to finish reading Babbs’s post.
Jackie Baird Richardson is an interior designer, editor at The WON and avid junker. Watch for her design tips and occasional crafting ideas, bringing the outdoors indoors. View all posts by Jackie Richardson
