I am so happy that I moved to this state after my time in the Navy. I met my wife in the service, and she is originally from the state of West Virginia, so that’s where we decided to live. Before moving here, I didn’t realize how beautiful this place would become during the fall. After spending my first year here, I realized I could never truly leave this place. Come time for the Fall Equinox, there is no place I would rather be. Personally, I have lived in other states during the fall season, but this state has the gift of the “changing of the color guard,” and folks, I can honestly say, it’s the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen in the 63 years that I have been alive.
The Spring Equinox wakes things up and brings all the green and new growth with it, while the Fall Equinox puts everything to sleep for the long, cold winter. But, I enjoy the change. All of Mother Earth seems to slow down a little bit, and I like that. One thing that I learned about the fall in my state is that the leaves change color at different times in different parts of the state, literally depending on which way the weather patterns go. In fact, if you were to follow the changing of the leaves over the expanse of our great state, you would realize the mountain regions change in late September or early October, while in the southern part of the state, the change might not be until late October. So, if you miss the wonderful colors in one area, you might still be able to catch the beautiful display in another.
Most people in West Virginia know all this, so you may wonder why I am taking the time to tell you about it. That’s simple, it’s because I think we should never stop informing people about the things that make our state unique, make it stand out, and make me shout from the rooftops, “Look what’s happening here; it’s fall.” By the way, this year, we will take a train ride in the mountains to enjoy the fall foliage as it is making its annual color change. I have lived here for over 35 years, and I have never bothered to take the train before. I really don’t know why. In a week or so, my cousin from Michigan is coming in, and he and his wife wanted to ride the train, so that’s why we planned the trip this year. I am looking forward to it. I think it will be a great adventure for my family and me.
One last thing about the Fall Equinox that I forgot about until now. Get yourself an egg on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 9:54 p.m. EDT (I looked it up), and try to stand the egg on its end. It should stay upright. I have never done this myself, but I have been in classrooms when it was done. It’s pretty cool. Bring the kids and let them see it. If it works, you’ll be a legend. If it doesn’t work, you’ll still have a story to tell. It’s always “better to try and fail than to have never tried at all.” Until next time, enjoy the solstice, and I’ll see you on the other side.
