The crunch of leaves marks North Idaho, the smell of wood stoves mixing with the cool, heavy air and thousands of trees turning a brilliant new shade. 

Families across the area will flock to their favorite orchard and pumpkin patch, and on Friday nights, high school boys and girls will don their city colors and compete for local pride.

Autumn is here. 

For some, fall means shorter days and colder temperatures, but for others, it marks beauty, reconnection and relationships. 

“Fall up here is by far my favorite season,” said Post Falls resident Drayden Palma.

Palma said that one of his favorite seasonal activities is taking scenic drives. His favorite route is taking the Spokane Street Bridge and driving west on Riverview Drive in Post Falls. 

“I love seeing the trees against the hillside,” he said. 

Richie Chacon said his favorite part of the season is going to the pumpkin patch with his family and friends. 

“We like Green Bluff a ton,” he said. “Every year we pick apples and pumpkins.” 

Chacon said that the drive to Green Bluff is like “no other.” 

“The prairie out there is awesome,” he said. “You really get a sense of the Northwest on that drive.” 

For local Gabriel Jackson, fall means reconnecting. He grew up playing football and has lived for the sport ever since. When asked what his favorite part of the season was, Jackson struggled to choose. Ultimately, he settled on the return of football, the seasonal food and the change in atmosphere. 

“I know that's more than one thing, but brother, it’s hard to choose,” he said.    

For lifelong resident Quentin Kucherry, getting outside and seeing the season change is important. 

“It’s nice to see nature change since it always seems Fall happens too fast,” he said.

Kucherry said that his favorite fall activity is a good hike. He said the weather is better for it and that not that many people want to venture outside of their homes this time of year. 

“There is just something super special about fall,” he said. “I just don’t know how to say it.”  

Fall's glory should be on full display next week, with the weather forecast calling for sunny skies and highs in the 30s.

    North Idaho's fall colors are beginning to pop in this recent aerial photo.
  

    Brennan Walker spent Friday afternoon using his metal detector around piles of dead leaves in City Park.