Fall, A Love / Hate Relationship

As I drove down the lonely paved roads of Fort Yargo State Park today, I noticed what it is that makes me love Fall so much.
I eat lunch in the park nearly every day. I enjoy it there. During the school year it’s dead quiet and extremely solitary, which makes an ideal setting for leaning the driver’s seat back in my truck and reading a couple of chapters of whatever book I’m reading at the time and grabbing a bite to eat. When school is out it’s a different story. Right now I’m reading Desert Places by Blake Crouch, a book that’s had me on the edge of my seat turning the pages frantically since I started it last Monday. Too bad I’ll be done with it by Friday.
As I drove down the main road, I slowed and looked to my left after I passed the old fort they relocated to the confines of the park. The fort was originally built outside the park in the late 1700′s as protection from the Indians that inhabited the area. Unfortunately “progress” has been slowly creeping in and the State made the decision to completely dismantle it and relocate it inside the park. After all, the fort is the park’s namesake and it just wouldn’t be right to let it go the way of the bulldozer.
I noticed the dirt and gravel road to the fishing area was gated off yet again. It’s been gated since last Monday and I’ve been meaning to ask someone why but I’ve never stopped at the pay gate. I have a yearly pass and don’t have to stop. Frustrated, because the fishing area is my favorite spot to pull in and read my books, I slowly pushed the pedal down and continued to the next turn.
Making a right, I turned onto the road that leads to another area of the park. This is my backup location when the fishing area is closed. This lonely road was covered in hues of red, yellow, and brown. The leaves covered the road just enough to let a little bit of asphalt show through. It felt like I was the only person to have driven down that road today.
With windows cracked and radio off I slowly drove on, listening to the soothing sound of the dried fallen leaves crunching under the weight of my tires. Being one of the things that puts my soul at ease, I relished every second I got to listen to it. It was then I realized that those leaves have been on the ground a good two or three weeks now. Huh, never noticed.
It’s funny how life gets so hectic at times we fail to notice the things we love, even when they’re presented to us on a silver platter. I had been driving over these leaves for weeks and never once noticed. Perhaps it was the stuff I’m designing at home that had my mind preoccupied. Perhaps it was the shed we’re building in the back yard. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m so engrossed in this book I can’t think of anything else once I hit the clock to go to lunch.
As I sat there reading, it hit me. I had the windows cracked. The wind blew and the cold air rushed through the cab of my truck, reminding me of what it is I hate about the Fall. I do enjoy the nip in the air, but I hate the freezing cold. Once the temperature drops below 45 degrees or so, I get pretty miserable. I hate wearing long sleeve shirts and I hate wearing jackets. I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy and I can’t stand wearing anything else.
I had no choice but to sit there and laugh. It really is a love / hate relationship for me. When I finished reading today I realized how good my life is right now. It’s quiet, there’s no one around, I’ve got a good lunch in my belly, I’m reading a good book, it’s Fall, and I’m happy.

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