What A Difference A Day Makes!...

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The road less traveled ...with freshly fallen leaves.This year, I can definitely say: "I saw Tennessee's peak colors!"

As evidenced by the pictures I took of Fall colors along the Natchez Trace last weekend, I was one of the lucky ones to see firsthand Tennessee's natural beauty ...at its peak!

But what a difference a day makes. Just check out this photo of a tree I photographed last Saturday, then again the very next day:

Red tree full of leaves. Red tree that lost its leaves overnight.

This rapid loss of foliage was due to a very windy night -- one which stripped many of Tennessee's trees of their colorful leaves in a matter of hours.

Destin the dog who loves Jeeping in the Fall. So, I decided to hop in my Jeep

...with dog in tow.


Jeeping in the Fall.

I wanted to see how the colorful landscapes had changed along the Natchez Trace

...overnight.



The colors were still quite vivid... on those trees which managed to hold onto their leaves. But, for the most part, the damage had been done.

There were lots of gaping holes in the color palette -- showing the bright blue skies through the branches:

Saturday:  Blue sky and colorful Fall foliage. Sunday:  Trees lacking foliage after a windstorm.

Another comparison... Saturday photo vs Sunday morning photo:

Some of the most colorful goldenrod and red colored leaves spotted on this particular afternoon on the Natchez Trace in November. Fall colors still reflected in fallen leaves.

Fortunately, I happened upon a few colorful spots along the Natchez Trace which yielded some more great photographs...

Dogs and fall colors. I decided to go back to that spot where I saw the "professional" photographers taking pictures of their dogs the day before. They had quite an eye for backgrounds... this definitely seemed like the best place to photograph a dog amidst the colorful trees.

Dog in front of tree with bright orange colored leaves... he spotted a deer in the distance. For some reason, there were also a TON of deer on the Natchez Trace this time. The funniest part was the number of bucks I saw in my photos AFTER the fact -- without even knowing that there was a deer in my shot... they blended into the foliage so well.

The best thing about being out on the Natchez Trace Parkway on this particular morning???


Leaves on the road.

It literally SMELLED like autumn!

Jeep parked along the Natchez Trace, surrounded by fallen leaves. You know... that smell of damp, freshly fallen leaves on wet roads from the light showers the night before, and heaping piles of wet leaves which lined the entire roadway. There's nothing like it.

Freshly fallen leaves underneath the tires of my Jeep. For me, it's similar to the smell of freshly lit charcoal on the grill, and recently mowed grass... distinct smells that trigger the senses and cause you to flashback on nothing but good memories, year after year.

Let this be a lesson to us all... don't forget to stop and smell Autumn!

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1 Comments

Kelly Sizemore said:

I LOVE YOUR SITE!! Can U possibly Tell me something?
Last Year someone flew over our homes here In Anderson County, Tn. Took AWESOME Pictures of the Trees, and the Roofs of our homes. I am looking for ours, For my Idiot Brother LOST Ours! Do U know Who would've Taken these Photos? Please. Or where I should Look for them?
Thank You,
HAVE A GR8 WEEK END!

Kelly S. Sizemore.

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Photos

  • A row of bright yellow trees. This is how these trees usually look at peak season... so we're very close!
  • My final shot before exiting the Trace on Highway 96 in Franklin -- this bridge spans over Highway 96.
  • The view as you exit Sunset Park back onto the Natchez Trace Parkway and head toward Bellevue.
  • I call this area Sunset Park, because there's a sign as you turn in that says the parking areas here close at sunset.
  • This is my favorite spot to see Fall colors each year -- these trees are always among the most vibrant.
  • Bicycling in the Fall on the Natchez Trace Parkway.
  • Beautiful autumn colors along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tennessee.
  • Some bright colors on the Natchez Trace Parkway, but we're still a couple days away from peak fall foliage colors...
  • First turn onto the Natchez Trace Parkway -- I saw lots of cyclists, lots of cars, and lots colors.
  • Approaching the Natchez Trace bridge -- just entered the Natchez Trace Parkway from Highway 96 in Franklin, TN.
  • Crossing the famous Natchez Trace Bridge in Tennessee -- over highway 96 in Franklin.
  • The obligatory entrance sign photo -- with fall colors in the background. They're not nearly as vibrant as they will be in a few days...

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