19 Nov A Change of Seasons
As someone born and raised in Florida, seeing the seasons truly change is something that I have never experienced before. Living and working at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has allowed me to see the leaves turn colors and enjoy a new climate here in the northeast!
First signs of fall
One of the most iconic parts of Delaware Water Gap is the gap itself, which can be seen from Kittatinny Point just south of Interstate-80. From my first day on the river here on August 23rd, I took a photo of the gap, and as you can see, the mountains were covered in trees that were lush and green. The second photo was taken exactly 2 weeks later, on September 6th, and you can see that a few of the trees are beginning to change colors slightly.
Starting to blush
Ranger Cindy told me that when the leaves start to change, it’s almost like the land is starting to “blush,” which is such a cute term to me! Seeing colored trees sprinkled along the ridgeline and having the sunlight make them appear even brighter was one of my favorite things to experience here.
On October 6th, after a hike with a friend on one of my days off, the drive back south while the sun was setting highlighted the colorful trees on the Jersey side of the gap. I pulled over to an overlook area and was able to capture these photos. I love driving along Road 209 in Pennsylvania and knowing that when I look over to the ridgeline during sunset, the trees that are being lit up are across the river and that I’m looking at another state!
Firey Hues
Two of my housemates are firefighters, and on one night they invited me to join them for a fire they had going at our house’s firepit outside! It was a lovely time of humorous conversation about the quirks of our apartment units, reflecting on the season coming to an end here for them at DEWA, and looking back on past endeavors while gathered around the warmth of the fire :)
As we get deeper into autumn, more leaves start to fall, but some also turn even more gorgeous and deeper shades of yellow, orange, and red. On November 3rd, I was driving in New Jersey along Interstate 80, and was able to take in a beautiful sunset that lit the sky up in yellow and pink as I glanced at all the deep hues of red, orange, and yellow in all the trees along the road and mountains. It was a really beautiful drive that left me in awe the entire time, and I will always remember how special it felt to experience a true change of seasons.
first snow of the season
Entering the month of November, the temperature continued to drop, and so did the leaves.
On November 11th, the first snowfall of the season happened here at Delaware Water Gap. Gentle snow flurries lightly covered the brush, branches, and leaves.
My fellow LHIP intern, Itzel, went on a hike that day and captured some amazing footage of it, including this photo here!
For more in-depth photos and descriptions about the first snow at DEWA, check out her blog here, which is all about it!
As the seasons continue to change in nature, my personal and professional life also looks a lot different than when this internship began. Being out of the office for so long, losing my routine, and feeling disconnected and behind while struggling to remain productive was very challenging. Something that we can learn from nature is that the only constant is change, and that gloomy times don’t need to stay that way. Getting outside and appreciating what we do have has made all the difference, and I am incredibly grateful to be able to return to working in the office alongside my team!
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