Oh my, what a difference a week makes. Maybe last week it was beginning to feel like fall but THIS week? It FEELS like fall. The temperature has dropped and as I drove to Ohiopyle on Wednesday for a meeting I noted some reds beginning to show up on the maples. Until DCNR's Fall Foliage Report launches (probably next week), you can enjoy the predictions of PA Weather Action for example.

Our pictures this week are a veritable cornucopia of the excitement fall is bringing to the Books of Faces including this Kenneth Hankey  masthead shot of an apparently very popular tree at Hickory Run. Many comments noted memories of kids of all ages climbing it in any season. He shared this other view of the tree that would make an equally wonderful winter masthead! And just as a tease, this week's jigsaw. The shape of things to come!

Don't forget that tomorrow not only kicks off Healthy Lands Week but it's also traditionally National Public Lands Day (the chief reason HLW was chosen to start when it does). So even if you haven't signed up for a Healthy Lands Week experience, we hope you plan to go out and volunteer somewhere on behalf of NPLD. You'll find opportunities on DCNR's Calendar of Events. 

So last week we noted that "GORP" (Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania) is the name of DCNR's outdoor rec initiative. What, we asked, does the acronym usually mean? Many correct answers - Good Old Raisins & Peanuts, the hiker's (and boater's and biker's and everybody who is inside or outside's) friend! Evolution demands that as time goes by "other things" get added (M&M's, almonds, chocolate chips were a few suggestions) or, in my case, subtracted (raisins).

This week we honor World Rivers Day (Sunday) with our question. Marci will be at Hyner View planting trees next Friday. What body of water do you view at Hyner View?

Enter each week to increase your chances of a fabulous prize at the end of the month when I'll draw one entry from all correct answers received during the month.

We'll continue to include a look at DCNR's calendar of events for another month or so but you'll note that things will definitely slow soon.

Put a bookmark on the PPFF Events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events so you never miss an announcement.

Repeating these just so you make sure to mark your calendars for upcoming festivals in October.

Blue boxes locate events; green photographs and news.

We never tire of Larry Laird's prize-winning photo of Pine Grove Furnace State Park from our 2020 photo contest.