That was just about the quickest fall I've ever experienced here in Somerset County. We got home from our trip to find color sorely lacking. Then one day this week the sun came out and the light was golden. Last night it rained and the wind blew and it's apparently all over. We shall have to mosey over the mountain this weekend and see if there's anything to see.

The masthead photo this week comes from Xiawei Zhang at Marsh Creek State Park with the reminder that beginning yesterday use of a PFD or life jacket is mandatory in any watercraft plying our lovely waters.

Pam Metzger
Membership Coordinator

News of note

The latest issue of Penn's Stewards, our thrice-annual newsletter, has been sent to email subscribers and posted to our website. Click the dropdown for the current issue.

As noted last week, nominations for our annual volunteer awards are being accepted with the form available on the PPFF website. If you know someone whose passion is our parks and forests, we'd love to recognize their efforts.

The Lancaster County Community Foundation's ExtraGive day of charitable contributions is coming up on November 16. We're planning some fun events and giveaways that day - check out our calendar listing for a little taste. You'll see details are still coming together so bookmark that page.

I was a little slow today - learned of the October 30th passing of Hugh Downing, my former "boss" at Keystone Trails Association. A more kind man was seldom seen. And a heck of a hiker, too!

At work and play in the parks and forests

East

Maybe you'll be lucky and still be able to pick up some of the fall migration at Kittattinny Ridge with the folks of Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. Register quickly!

West

On Sunday morning you can help out at the Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Reserve. 

North

Hmmm. I believe I mentioned last week that our masthead photographer Curt Weinhold teaches night photography at Cherry Springs on occasion. Guess what? Hurray. He's doing it Saturday evening!

South

Find a little color and stretch your legs, too tomorrow afternoon with a Nature Hike at Cowans Gap. 

No matter what region of the commonwealth you want to visit, our website Events and the DCNR Calendar of Events are great sources for things to see and do. Bookmark them!

Picture of the week

A visit to the Central PA Hiking and Backpacking Facebook page yielded this photo by Herb Madara of a hike this week to Pulpit Rock/the Pinnacle on the Appalachian Trail. Kind of proves the point about color being somewhat muted and strange this year. There's still a lot of green in that shot.

Take five for trivia

Trivia returns next week.

Sunday, November 4.
Change the smoke detector batteries, too.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation (PPFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. The official registration and financial information of PPFF may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within Pennsylvania, to 800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare and 1% for the Planet and is a Gold GuideStar Participant.