An Accidental Leafer

I have unknowingly become a “leafer.” You know…the kind of person who can’t wait for the leaves to change colors in the fall, and will drive almost anywhere to see them.

How did this happen? My wife said once, years ago, Fall is her favorite season. As a guy, I figured it was because the air gets crisp, football is in the air. Nope. It’s because she likes to look at leaves.

At first, I fought her urge to drive around, looking at leaves. I told her “You want to see leaves? Go in the backyard. Here’s a rake.” That did not go over well.

So, we loaded up the car and drove around looking at leaves. At first, we just looked at them in our city. Then, next thing you know, I am driving across the state and into other states to look at dead leaves, just waiting for a strong breeze to knock them to the ground.

After a while, I started looking forward to our drives and short road trips. Being a photography hobbyist, leaf photos can be fun to take. I have a built-in audience to like them (thanks family). The trip that actually made me really enjoy “leafing” was a trip we took in mid-October 2006. We met my sister and brother-in-law in Cleveland for a “football” game. As most Cleveland fans would probably agree, you are never sure if the Browns will play football (I am kidding).

Anyway, driving in that region of the country made for a fun time. The trees were nearing the end of their peak fall color season.  We spent a couple of days in Niagara Falls, Canada, to take in the view there. We walked the state park on the New York side. The leaves were vibrant colors – red, brown, yellow, orange. They were beautiful.  It was at point that I decided I liked “leafing.”

So, flash forward six years…We took our annual drive for leaf viewing to southeast Nebraska. We went to Indian Cave State Park, near historic Brownville.

People have been worried that the Drought of 2012 would damage the fall colors. While I still see some vibrant colors, if you look up-close, the leaves are very dry. Several have rolled up. So, while a lot of close-up photos and viewings are not as good as they have been in the past, the colors do impress.

The view from the scenic overlook at Indian Cave State Park is excellent. You can see for miles on a clear day. The Missouri River flows with a strong current and is flanked on both sides by tons of trees, some of which have yet to turn. So, you have a nice patch of red, orange, yellow and green in the view.

We talked with people from all over the region, who came out for the same reason we did, taking in the colors before they fade.

The park has more to offer than just leaf viewing.

The Indian cave that once stood along the banks of the river still attracts people for a look  into the history of man. Native Americans used the original cave for shelter during several migrations. Petroglyphs can be found on the stone walls. Unfortunately, so can graffiti. I do not really care that Joanie loves Chachi, but thanks for etching that along side of the ancient drawings.

There is a boardwalk staircase to take people to the cave’s remains. It is interesting to realize the people who have been to that spot hundreds of years ago.

 Following the cave visit, we drove the main touristy route to take in the other sights – scenic overlook, a cemetery for the town that once existed on the park grounds – St. Deroin, as well as a cemetery for the offspring for French-Canadian fur traders and their Native wives.  Families in the St. Deroin cemetery have been buried there since the late 1800s. There were a couple of recent grave markers from the last couple of years as well. I could not make out the year of death for the lone grave marker we found at the Indian cemetery.

A living history log cabin area and an old town caught our interest. The cabin area had people actually working – a lye soap maker, a candle make and a blacksmith. Each person explained their roles and demonstrated their work for interested visitors.

The old town consisted of a school and a mercantile. The mercantile operator was  making  hand-made brooms. He had several on the wall.

Later, we took a walk though the woods on marked trails, taking in the views of trees and leaves from ground view.

Following our trip to the state park, we were hungry. We decided to head into Brownville for lunch and some sightseeing. Brownville, on the Missouri-Nebraska border, has a population of 148. The idea of finding a restaurant did seem like a good one. I figured there had to at least be a bar there with frozen sandwiches. We actually found a nice restaurant – Lyceum Café and Bookstore. Apparently, it recently opened downtown. The service was good. The food was excellent. The prices were reasonable. I would eat there again.

 Following lunch, we walked around the downtown area of Historic Brownville. The entire town, founded in 1854, is on the National Historic Registry. How many towns can say that?

We took in the viewing – the local rail museum, as well as one of the original homes. The stores on the main street are mainly antique or unique merchandise stores. It had the feel of an artsy area.

On our way out of town, we stopped by the local winery for a walk and view.

I would recommend both the state park and Brownville for a nice drive or outing, regardless of the season.