It’s early November, and fall is in the air. Mother Nature did fast-forward to winter five weeks into the fall season with a snowstorm Halloween weekend which postponed trick-or-treating in some New Jersey towns – followed by two weeks of Indian summer weather in which the temperatures have reached almost 70 degrees, perfect for strolling the beach or simply hiking the two-river area to see the leaves change color.

Irene’s wrath eliminated a lot of leaves in early September, with the “salt scalding” she left in her wake. Intense winds from Irene picked up salt spray that was deposited on trees and leaves, which in turn dried out the leaves, caused them to turn brown and die early. Needless to say, a lot of two-river residents were raking – or leaf-blowing – leaves as early as post-Labor Day, yet there is still a colorful show of fall foliage.

The buzz of lawn mowers has been replaced by the whir of leaf blowers, soon to be replaced by the buzz – again – of snowblowers. The aroma of meat on the grill has vanished – OK, correction: there are a few diehards still grilling – replaced by fires burning in chimineas. Gone is the odor of citronella, as the mosquitoes have gone – wherever it is mosquitoes go. Gone are the humidity, poison ivy, beestings, pollen, tourist traffic, and brown outs, soon to be replaced by freezing temperatures and possible power outages from winter’s snow and storms. Yet, until then, fall is here air with crisp, clear air, no humidity and brilliant colors.