In the past I have traveled north each Fall. It has given me the awesome opportunity to enjoy the trees bursting with color. The cooler temperatures meant I had the chance to wear a sweater or jacket. Plus there were always the scents and tastes. Fragrant smoke from burning piles of freshly raked leaves. The taste of warm cider and cinnamon donuts or pumpkin muffins, yum!

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. It is hard to believe it ranks so high because it is also the time of the year when the days get shorter, less hours of sunlight to charge my solar batteries. Plus it is the season that takes us into winter, my least favorite season.

Today I wanted to capture some of that Fall feeling. It was overcast and cooler than it has been recently (it was about 78 today instead of the 90's). I took a ride in my convertible with the top down and headed away from the beach towards Hillsboro County. Once I got off the interstate heading towards Zepherhills, I saw homes that were decked out in Halloween decorations. Ghosts were hanging from trees. Corn Stalks and bails of hay with carved pumpkins outlined the doorways. They looked festive and fun.

Along my adventure, I visited a couple of open-air markets. Each was filled with vegetables, pumpkins and lots of baskets of apples. No cider though. I know I can purchase it at Publix (our local grocery chain) but was thinking it would be fun to buy it roadside.

I had a nice time and included a fun detour to hike through the woods at Hillsboro State Park.

Although I miss enjoying Fall first hand in Tennessee and points north, I appreciate my good fortune to live here in Florida. I don't have to worry about raking Palm fronds. Although seeing them turn colors would be fun. Even though it will soon start getting dark around 5PM, we have sunshine, not grey skies, throughout the day. I can always turn on the air-conditioning to put a chill into my condo. Heat up some cider and enjoy some cinnamon donuts or pumpkin muffins. I can create a Fall experience right here.

This weekend I am even going to a farm near Ocala, Florida to try my hand escaping from a corn maze. It should be tons of fun. The only way it could be better would be if my sons and their families were here to get lost and find our way out together. Wishing you a fantastic FALL.