IT'S LEAFER SEASON!

Written by: Bob Metcalfe
(Image courtesy of Iloveny.com)

I'm not sure if leafer is the "correct" term. Regardless, the weather is getting colder (as if it wasn't cold enough all summer long) and the foliage is beginning to show those absolutely gorgeous colors we've come to take for granted. I grew up not too far from Letchworth State Park, and never did come to understand just how beautiful of a place it is until the past few years. My time spent in the state of West Virginia afforded me some gorgeous scenic views, but the color variety that we see here in the Empire state doesn't even compare!

The map included in this post is updated weekly on the iloveny.com website to help you pinpoint the "best-bets" in scenery scopin'. While our Genesee Valley region is still "quiet", the Catskills and northern Adirondack are starting to light up, as seen with the yellow countours. The peak time for foliage in those areas is typically the last two weeks of September, while our western New York region usually sees the best color variety in the first two weeks of October. So you've still got some time to grab a nice pair of binoculars and some hiking shoes.

For more information head to www.iloveny.com