Autumn may bring chilly weather, but it does it in style

My mornings now consist of getting an annoying mental nudge to get up at 6 a.m., before the sun, before the coffee, and with just enough time to wrestle with the blankets and my internal thermostat that is set for overheating for two seconds, then switches to freezing the next three seconds.

Ah, it’s fall! Its chill might sneak up on you, but it arrives in full technicolour style, and that’s the best wake-up call there is.

With the kids going back to school, family vacations are done, and won’t start up again until the “s word” starts flying about! But that doesn’t mean family adventures have to stop! Autumn is a great time to plan your ultimate family fall foliage outings.

So, how does one plan a “Let’s go for a drive and see all the pretty trees” day adventure? Well, depending on where you live, you can typically start seeing the colours change mid-September to late October. Northern Ontario is mid-September and for those in southern Ontario, you peak later, more like mid-to-late October. That just means those in northern Ontario get more pumpkin-spice infused snacks!

Now, we all know Mother Nature has been out of sorts and her weather patterns are all over the place, but I have found a way to stay on top of the colours of fall.

The Ontario Parks has a website dedicated to fall colours. This website updates the colours reported from each park. There is a colour code, shaped like leaves, and it indicates the dominant colour, the colour change and the percentage of leaf fall! Each park also gives you the “Best viewing” location. The website also has a little chart to show you the peak viewing leaf codes!

Bookmark this page so you can plan your Sunday drive this fall!

www.ontarioparks.ca/fallcolour

Northern Ontario: Drama in colour and climb

For those of you in northern Ontario, you don’t have to go far from home to find breathtaking vistas. In Greater Sudbury, the enchanted first two weeks of October are perfect for hikes along the many leaf-peeping trails. Just to name a few: Ramsey Lake Boardwalk, Kivi Park, Rotary Park, the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area, and the ever popular A.Y. Jackson Lookout in Onaping Falls.

Another picturesque landscape that bursts into brilliant colours in September and October is North Bay. The rich boreal forests transforms into a riot of yellow, orange and crimson. Whether you go on a hike, stroll along the waterfront, or catch the view from a canoe, North Bay’s Duchesnay Falls is not to be missed.

If you are looking for a full-day autumn adventure, then a drive to Manitoulin Island should be marked on your calendar. One of the best places to go hiking is the Cup and Saucer Trail. It has incredible views, stunning cliffs and you will definitely have an adventure!

For those of you who live in or near Sault Ste. Marie, you don’t have to go far from home to find breathtaking views. Robertson Cliffs deliver one of the most amazing views in Algoma. The IIa’s Loop is a five kilometre moderate trail with steep bits and a waterfall.

Southern Ontario: Wine, walks and wandering in colour

When fall moves to southern Ontario, why not wind yourself through Niagara wine country, vines draped in amber and crimson. Plan a weekend away where you can spend a day hopping between vineyards, stroll through tasting rooms and nibbling on farm-to-table snacks. The Niagara Glen Park also gives hikers a magical immersion — vibrant leaves, rocky trails and views of the whirlpool below.

Another thing to experience in southern Ontario is apple orchards! The u-pick season begins the end of August to early September and can run into late October. Different varieties of apples become available at different times due to weather conditions. I know for our household, Thanksgiving weekend is the first weekend hubby’s apples become available: Mutsu and Russet apples. The Mutsu apples are HUGE! I find them a bit tart, but they make great pies! The Russets are rough with a brownish skin. I have never been able to find them in a grocery store, so you can be sure to see me grabbing a basket of these.

Fall is a great time to explore, as every city seems to become more colourful. With the children back to school, plan a weekend or a Sunday drive to capture the magical moments that autumn months bring.