By Kristin
Pettibon
With the weather getting colder, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find the motivation to get up and get outside to walk to classes. The weather change is bringing a benefit, though: an aesthetic one. The green leaves are transforming into brilliant yellows and oranges, making walks to classes a little more enjoyable.
Not only does the foliage brighten walks, taking time to enjoy the leaves can also serve as a stress-buster and a way to forget about classes for awhile. There are many places here in Elizabethtown and in the area that are excellent spots to see the foliage.
The campus has a variety of trees that are sporting bright new coats of color.
To see a broader spectrum of colors and even more spectacular views, however, you may have to go off-campus. Some travel agencies even have trips centered around the foliage. Even if a trip’s central focus is not the foliage, it does brighten the scenery on any trip.
Can-Am Tours, located in Elizabethtown, is an agency that normally gives tours of foliage spots in the area. Due to a lack of interest this year, however, they cancelled the tours. For those who are still interested, they suggest going to Peter’s Mountain in Halifax or even going on the Pennsylvania Turnpike towards Pittsburgh. If you are willing to go farther away, the Poconos are a good spot, according to a representataive of the agency.
Freshmen Bruce Cunning drove along the Turnpike over fall break, and said, "I did enjoy the colors; they made the drive seem shorter. It gave me something to look at besides the boring blacktop on the road."
All-in-One Travel, another agency in Lancaster, takes groups to different destinations to see fall leaves. Generally, the groups they take journey to New England states such as Vermont and Maine. For local touring, the agency recommends Pine Grove, Furnace, Millerstown, and Lewisburg, all nearby towns. "Along the Susquehanna River is gorgeous," Sue Bishop of All-in-One Travel said.
She also recommends Hometown, which has flea markets that could make for a good day trip. Also, traveling along Route 15 North offers many different scenic views of the season.
The Parks Department of Lancaster County has many activities for the public based on fall foliage. Lancaster County Central Park is located south of Lancaster City on 570. They have environmental center programs within the park boundaries.
The tours and other activities are free and open to the public. The tours include "Fall Serendipity Stroll," "Hike on an Autumn Morning," "Autumn Splendor" and a slide show entitled "Autumn Leaves and Other Fall Scenes" for those who cannot or do not wish to walk. Because the tours have a limit on participants, they ask that those interested register prior to the tours by calling (717) 295-2055.
For those who would rather not go on a tour, there are many different hiking and bike trails as well as picnic tables and pavilions. The park also offers a library and environmental center.
At the park, a newsletter lists the tours and other activities offered. The newsletter can be picked up or mailed to those interested.
So, take some time out of your busy schedule this week to enjoy the beauty that Mother Nature has provided through fall foliage.