Autumn is knocking!
This liminal space between summer and fall always feels like it has a little bit of everything for us. I’m enjoying the cooler conditions that have begun to blanket evenings in the region.
Word to the wise, though: Mosquitoes are still lurking, so don’t forget bug spray. Sincerely, an itchy person who got carried away by the nicer weather and deeply regrets not applying repellent.
Here’s what we’re up to today:
Changing colors: Let us point you to the best places around Philly to see leaves transform into striking fall shades.
Coffee with extra cuddles: A local farm and its snuggly baby cows go viral.
The threat of sea level rise: Why a wetlands nonprofit is moving temporarily.
⛅ Your weekend weather outlook: Friday and Saturday should be mostly sunny, while Sunday may see showers.
— Paola Pérez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)
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If the rest of September’s weather cooperates, we’re due for a vibrant foliage display this season. Peak viewing times are expected throughout October.
In Philadelphia and beyond, there are several great vantage points from which you can get a good glimpse of the transforming leaves, including:
West Fairmount Park. Don’t miss the views around the Skew Arch Bridge, and be sure to visit the Trolley Trail.
Delaware Canal State Park. You can stroll, kayak, or canoe along the 58-mile towpath from sunrise to dusk to determine which way you best enjoy the fall scenery.
See all of our favorite spots for leaf peeping around the region, ordered closest to farthest away from Philly.
News worth knowing
This year’s El Niño has contributed to a historically quiet Atlantic hurricane season.
A Philly Parks and Rec leader said she approved renovations to FDR Park’s Ashburn Field without required state permitting because she wanted renovations to be complete by the MLB All-Star Game last July. The missing permit was designed to address erosion control and stormwater release at the site.
Supervisors in Willistown tabled a decision on a settlement that would limit the development of Rock Hill Farm. Officials are looking for more certainty in the preservation of the land.
Much of the Wetlands Institute site in Stone Harbor, N.J., sits in low marsh and has become increasingly at risk due to flooding. This week, nonprofit staff will pack up and move to a temporary headquarters.
The Trump administration has blocked more than 130 projects in national parks across the country worth at least $25 million without providing a reason, according to internal documents reviewed by the Washington Post.
🌳 Your outdoorsy experience
Yoo-hoo, is this thing on? I want to hear from you, dear reader. Whether you’re hitting your go-to trail or trying kayaking for the first time, this is your time to shine. What are you doing out in the wild?
Write me an email to tell me about your unforgettable memories adventures or favorite moments outdoors. Pictures, if you have them, are more than welcome. You might see your adventures featured here.
🎤 Let me pass the mic to my colleague Beatrice Forman with an adorable dispatch.
Dolly is an Aries. She likes pink accessories, the feeling of freshly brushed hair, and morning coffee with friends. She also has to be the center of attention.
No, Dolly is not a teenaged girl. She’s a three month-old Hereford calf with a job: To snuggle up with as many guests as possible at Rose Bridge Farm, a Montgomery County animal sanctuary.
Rose Bridge Farm sits on almost 13 acres of land at 1314 Limekiln Pike in Dresher, once part of an estate owned by William Penn in the mid-1700s. When steward Kristen Sutch took over the property in 2013, she transformed it into a sanctuary for farm animals rescued from livestock auctions, dairy farms, and breeders. — Beatrice Forman
Keep reading to learn more about the sanctuary and its cuddly animals.
Paola’s picks
🔎 An activity: Mix archaeology and history at Newlin Grist Mill’s annual Fall Festival with fun for all ages (Saturday, free).
♻️ A proud moment: Reading Terminal Market attracts attention for its food-waste-prevention efforts.
🌕 A celestial treat: Philly’s most unique mooncakes.
🍒 A song: “Return to Cherry” by Part Time: “Wishful thoughts of another chance, to make things right again.”
🦉 A good read: Tom Pluck’s latest, “Owl Be Seeing You.”
A fungal view
🍄🟫 Last weekend, Kennett Square’s 41st Mushroom Festival celebrated the family farms that have cultivated the crop for generations.
👋🏽 I’ll catch you next time.
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