Oct 6, 2023 By Dave Bates for The Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-Reporter.Com 5 min read

If you and your loved ones are like me and my family, then you are probably looking for neat things to do throughout the fall. This time of year there are an abundance of festivals, autumn leaf tours, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, hayrides, bonfires and lots of restaurants with outdoor seating venues galore. Any event that involves the possibility of being outside in nature is of automatic interest to us. So what kind of doings might interest you and your clan?

Tops on our list of fall fun activities is the fall leaf tour. Google fall driving tour of Greene County and you will find a number of guided tours listing routes to take in the best views and vistas of the Greene County countryside. Routes are well thought out to give motorists the best possible views combined with the peak color possibilities. Keep an eye on the trees in your neighborhood so as not to let the best color slip past. A good bet to see the prime colors of fall are around mid-October into the third week. This year’s drought conditions and ensuing pockets of heavy rain might alter the amount of color as well as the duration that the leaves remain on the trees. It might sound old-fashioned but there’s nothing like a leisurely drive in the country, map in hand, plotting out the next turn as well as the adventure of rounding the bend to discover the awaiting array of color. Pack a picnic lunch or take in a supper at one of your favorite eateries and create a brilliant ending to a most colorful day.

Another tour that might prove interesting is a driving tour that takes you by the covered bridges of Washington and Greene Counties. You can still enjoy the fall foliage along the way. Again, a quick Internet search will provide the names and locations of all the covered bridges in our area. With guidance systems being so advanced these days, it’s hard to go wrong when one ventures out on the open road in search of old-time bridges and the awaiting recreation.

If you have youngsters and want to get them out into nature, consider a trip to one of the local farms that offer hayrides, pumpkin picking, fruit orchards, giant sliding boards, games, climbing obstacles and much more. Many of these farms offer educational components and opportunities to learn about farming and farm life. Beehives are another cool aspect of farm tours and kids, as well as adults, will enjoy learning about the science of bees and the important work they do.

Walking trails around Washington and Greene counties are a great place to get out and enjoy nature. Some of the prettiest vistas are along the Monongahela River or near the various lakes and streams in our region. If you’re not up for a walk then maybe paddling is your thing. While the lack of rain might keep you off of the smaller tributaries, kayaks and shallow draft canoes are a great way to change perspective and take in new sights that are already familiar from walking along them. Paddling along the Monongahela River assures adequate water depths even during periods when smaller creeks and streams might not provide the needed draft.

Don’t forget the bicycles while you’re out. Many of the rails-to-trails venues are great places to get out and experience the fall colors. Places like Ohio Pyle in neighboring Fayette County provide scenic waterfalls. Cucumber Falls as well as the falls in the heart of Ohio Pyle are truly a thing of beauty and awe. My family especially enjoys taking breakfast in packs and walking to the other side of the falls and sitting quietly among the boulders, listening to the roaring of the rapids. We enjoy a thermos of tea and a little bouldering away from the crowds as a part of our early morning forays.

If time is not something that you have an abundance of during these fall days, think about a simple walk down a country road. While you might not have time to spend a full day “out in it” you might be able to make an hour-or-two jaunt before attending to more pressing concerns.

To my mind, the perfect ending to most of the above outings would be sitting around the fire pit, making smores, awaiting the coming darkness and visiting with friends. I’ve never found a bad time for a bon fire (unless it’s raining) and even then, I’ve seen some novel set ups that allow the good times to continue under rainy skies. This reminds me that it might be a good time to make those necessary repairs to the fire ring and maybe split a little wood.

Whatever you choose to enjoy when it comes to the outdoors, may you enjoy it with other like-minded friends and family. Have a great fall.