As I drove this weekend in the Selkirk Mountains, up the Myrtle Creek road and through the Burton Creek drainage, I felt a slight chill in the air. Shadows are lengthening more each day, which, along with the rustle of leaves underfoot, signifies fall. One week its summer and the next, it seems this world is bathed in hues of red and yellow, a sight that’s even more striking with the sun dancing on the autumn landscape.

All the seasons are very apparent here in Boundary County. The spring season is very green, the summer is very hot, the winter very cold and the fall is full of magnificent colors.

Fall is my favorite season. All the leaves from the trees and plants change into multi-colored works of art and fall away. It creates bare and vulnerable branches, revealing the true scenery underneath.

It also represents a beautiful cycle of loss, regeneration and regrowth once the spring season comes around. The dead leaves and branches on the ground disintegrate and turn into part of the soil which is used as seeds and fertilizer later once the cold welcomes the warmer weather.

I like the autumn months. I enjoy the way the trees change and how the weather can be warm and cool at the same time. The sky is full of geese and clouds and the wind is a flutter with all that nature must do to prepare for winter. Something about it reminds me of simpler times, back when I was a kid and fall meant going back to school.

My favorite time of day is in the afternoon, when the sun is starting to head under the horizon and the sky feels hazy. It’s like bright, but not bright at the same time. The air smells crisp and life just comes to a standstill.

To be honest with you, I like all seasons for different reasons. This fall season is perfect for taking beautiful scenic drives and spending time outdoors. Nothing can relax and rejuvenate more than enjoying nature and the surrounding scenery in Boundary County. For more outdoor articles, visit www.naturallynorthidaho.com