By Allen Hamrick
The meltdown of Summer 2025 is coming to a slow but sure end. The heat has melted and the sun drenched our get up and go. However, there is a subtle change happening in the air…it is getting cooler. The morning air is somewhat crisp, and coffee seems to taste better on the porch swing. Breezes are picking up and carry the promise that things will change soon, and our pace will quicken. All this is not just an indication that fall is on its way but an invitation to use the opportunity to get out and enjoy, to experience yet again the world beyond the air conditioner, to once again become a part of the outdoors.
The heat has been our anchor, forcing us to find a cool spot, and it made getting outside more like a chore instead of enjoyable. With a cool down on the horizon, opportunities are coming to trade melting pavement for a trail through the woods or swap the humidity for the chill of the morning air. All those trails you wanted to hit and those secret fishing holes that you may have avoided due to the heat will now be calling your name. The cool temperatures will invigorate your sense of adventure, for sure, and will make outdoor sports more of a joy as opposed to heat exhaustion. Soon, we get beyond the coolness of the indoors and see again what lies beyond the distant horizon. With fall now on the downside of the summer calendar, soon the rustling of dry leaves and the scent of the earth will fill the air, and all your senses will be ready for change.
Fall is the best time of the year to communicate with nature and become a part of it whether you fish, hike, camp, chop firewood or otherwise engage in a cooler air activity. Summer crowds will be thinning out on the lakes and waterways. The cooler air will allow for more time on the water, and an all-day fishing trip is not punishment. Fall is one of the best times for fishing – the crisp air cools the water temperatures, and many species of fish become more active and start an aggressive pattern of feeding. They must get the fat stored up for the winter months, so it is a win-win for an angler.
If you are more into a docile existence, the cool air is ushering in some of the most beautiful landscapes in this country, and the photo opportunities are endless. A phenomenon referred to in the photography world as the golden light of fall is one of the most sought-after occurrences in photography because of its glow. Birds, deer, bears, turkeys and more shun their deep haunts and get out in the open. A paradise of opportunity awaits if you like wildlife photography.
Fall is a wonderful time of year for peaceful reflection and a quick antidote for fast pace living, a chance to reboot and find solitude. The days will soon shorten; the crisp air will hang around all day and the sweltering days of summer will give way to the chill. So, breathe deep and connect to the outdoors again. The opportunity will be there; all you need to do is step outside.
Keep in mind that fall sports will begin soon as teams are gearing up for their first games of the season. Panther and Mustang football will begin playing on the new field as soon as the turf is installed. At present, the construction continues. CCHS volleyball will begin, as well, and looks like a strong contender with several returning from last season. CCMS football has a new coach, and he will bring a different approach to the game. Mike Kiser will take the helm and see if he can get the team to get back-to-back championships. So, get ready for plenty of action from the great outdoors, and students will provide the action on the fields and courts.
