These past few weeks I’ve been able to re-experience something that I haven’t had the opportunity to since college, a true New England fall. I’m lucky enough to have family that resides in the breath-taking, charming town of Stowe VT, and was able to visit during peak foliage this past weekend.

Peak foliage; like walking through a painting

I was truly in awe these past few days. My amazing brother and sister-in-law and two beautiful nieces live in Stowe VT, and I always love visiting them. We are incredibly close and always have the most amazing time together. This past weekend we went up to celebrate my niece’s birthday, but it also happened to be during peak foliage season. The second we entered NH the leaves became incredibly vibrant. Besides my very unhappy toddler (he hates car rides) it was the most beautiful car ride I’ve had in a long time. It was incredibly hard not to grab my phone and just video the entire ride. I truly felt like I was driving through a painting. It’s odd because I spent the first 21 years of my life in New England, and I went to college in Vermont which is known for having the most incredibly vibrant colors during foliage. But for some reason I didn’t remember it being this breathtaking, this beautiful. I’m not sure if I was too young to really appreciate it, or if it’s just been that long since I’ve been here to really remember how beautiful it was. Being able to take in all these incredible leaves this weekend left me feeling incredibly blessed to live where I am right now.

A Fall walk in the woods

The weather was a little iffy but on Sunday we were fortunate to get a break in the rain to get out and enjoy a beautiful walk in the woods. The drive to our hiking spot was nothing but pure magical. The trees were overhanging like a bridge on the road and were full of vibrant colors. The lighting and colors outside were serene. We had a lovely walk through the woods encountering gnomes, a sugar shack and beautiful open fields with nothing but mountains and vibrant colors in the background. I haven’t been feeling much like myself these days and something about being in the quiet woods with family, completely memorized by all the pretty colors, brought me such tranquility. I wanted to wrap all the pretty trees up in a bubble and take them home with me. It’s so surreal to think that in just a matter of weeks all these vibrant trees will be leafless and preparing for a long New England winter. Being away for all these years and now experiencing the seasons changing has given me a whole new appreciation for what this place has to offer. Do I miss living in Florida? Yes. But each place has its charm and special beauties to enjoy. I’m trying to focus on all the amazing things my new home has to offer me and my boys.