Ah, yes, a leisurely autumn drive through the countryside… After the soothing greens of summer, the intense fall colors busting out everywhere never fails to amaze. Pretty as a picture. Still, it took a brief road trip and an extremely rare overnight stay in a larger nearby town, to remind me how for most of my life, scenes like this were a bit of an exotic treat. Living in the city, you planned for a drive in the country, but oftener than not, the turning of the leaves in autumn was observed tree by tree on city streets, or in parks…or pictures. Here in farm country, surrounded by trees wherever the fields end, the colors of nature are now not a novelty, simply the everyday backdrop. I left hardcore urban living entirely behind six years ago—now, this little off-farm break, cruising around a fair-sized town for a few hours, something I haven’t done in ages, was enough of a jog to remind me all in a rush how different things are, city to country…
In town, I got to see Raechelle’s kitchen garden (it’s literally right outside her kitchen door) as it makes its way through autumn. After a season of working with Rae every Tuesday in the field, it was cool to see her own veggie plot. I see rhubarb, and cherry tomatoes, and…
Here’s the inspiration for the red maple leaf on our Canadian flag, beautifully set in a riverside park… Tourism! ;)
Beautiful photos!
I too made the transition from a HUGE city a couple of years ago, to a much smaller one. Although it is certainly not on a farm (which hopefully one day that is where I will be), I can appreciate the difference.
Although, I suppose all the extra trees are still a novelty to me ;)
Absolutely gorgeous! The leaves haven’t turned as much down here in the South states. I can’t wait to see our burst of color. You’re pics make me jealous.
Ohhh that last shot is so beautiful. I’m from Washington State so your landscapes look very similiar to mine. Lovely shots!
wow…my kitchen garden looks so…done.
i feel like i should send you photos of what it looked like in spring and summer…when it actually looked alive.
it’s pretty neglected looking here.
but to fill in the blanks…you are seeing rhubarb and cherry tomatoes (2 kinds), and basil and cilantro and chives and scarlet runners and oregano (and tucked behind the oregano are the onions and garlic chives).
a lot happens in that little plot.
it’s like a microcosm of the tiny farm…a really really small microcosm. but with the same heart.
Which do you prefer, city or country living? We live in a city now. But, we’ve really started talking about doing exactly the same thing you did six years ago. I love to grow things and want more room to do that!
Trisha: Oh, I definitely prefer living in the country. I don’t know if that’s exactly the same as “country living,” the way I might’ve thought of what that meant before moving to the country. After these few years out of the city, I can imagine “real” country living as more of a homesteading life, not exactly no electricity and getting water by the bucket from a well, but relying a lot more on living off the land. I mean, I have high speed Internet, cable TV, supermarkets and box stores only 20 minutes away (yes, I am in the heart of farm country, that’s just the extent urban influence and sprawl). I guess what I mean is that you can take a lot of the city with you, especially with all of these conveniences at hand, and I now wonder what it would be like to be way more removed from that than I am.
As far away as I’ve gotten, it’s great. The fresh air, the big sky, the quiet, the room to grow, the natural pace, the daily connection to the elements, for me, that’s all been…as advertised. Growing food for market is also the most satisfying, enjoyable “work” I’ve done. There’s no shortage of excitement, farming and the weather alone keep you on your toes as much as, well, the stock market could, in a much healthier, energizing way. On the other hand, if I had a more conventional job, doing something in town similar to what I’d do in a big city, I don’t know that I’d enjoy small-town living in that same way. For me, being to a fair degree self-contained on the farm is what I love here. The tiny farming experience! The fact that I don’t drive has also made it simpler to literally stay on the farm…
Dunno if that makes enough sense, in relation to what I said in the post, but city-vs-country isn’t that easy a question to answer when you actually think about it! Although I’d recommend it to every city person who wants to try, I also think you have to be ready. Kinda like everything else, you get out what you put in!
I love the autumn/fall. A great time of year with such remarkable colours. That first photo is just remarkable Mike
The benefits in living in the country are definitely the space, and also (at least from my experience) is that the people are more interested in you as a person. Possibly as the pace is usually slower, and people are more trusting. The list could go on, it’s (usually) quieter – especially at night, the stars are brighter and you get the time and inspiration to stop and smell the roses.
Mike, it sounds as if you have a great place to live with some of the benefits of the city, but all the benefits of the country.
I’m also thinking about moving back to the country in the next few years. Just a matter of finding the “right” place – somewhat like the area you have described Mike.
Fantastic site. I am a nature lover and love outdoors and the country side. You are blessed to be living in such a beautiful place. I was searching for maple leaves and suddenly stepped on your tiny blog. Very good work. Congrats and Stay long in your farm.
Wow! These pictures are great. I never see this in FL since we basically have no seasons..lol. Great blog!
it doesn’t get better than this…. this are all great views and scenery for any nature lover. hopefully we don’t get to spoil the beautiful things nature has given us with so many of our poisonous emissions in the atmosphere. you will agree with me that things have really changed from the time this pictures were posted to date.
great blog too!!!