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Missing My Kids at College: Why Am I Happy?

Author Joel Katz
My favorite picture of my kids. 2009

Why am I sad?

I just got off the phone with our baby girl. My daughter, Kiera, started college a few weeks ago, she’s about 5 hours away. She used to be about 5 seconds away, down the hall or up the stairs for nearly 19 short years.

Why does my heart hurt?

Our baby boy and Kiera’s twin brother, Liam, also began his college career. A few weeks ago we dropped him off, he’s less than an hour away. It’s comforting to know he’s not far, but the feelings are the same.

Why do I feel empty?

We experienced this with our oldest, Tyler, many years ago. The feeling then was very similar, but different in many ways. We still had two other kids in the house, we weren’t “empty nesters,” yet. He’s off on his own now and doing well.

Why do I cry?

Every morning before I left for work I would walk down the hall to tell them I love them and say goodbye. They were asleep and rarely heard me. “Love you Sweetsie, love my girl,” “Love you buddy, love my boy.” Every morning for years and years. I still do the same thing every morning even though they’re not there. I walk into clean, organized, and childless rooms, and say goodbye to no one.

Why do I feel good?

My wife, Kathleen, and I remind each other that this is what we’ve worked for. Our kids are successfully navigating their lives and seem to be happy doing so. This is what we wanted, it would be selfish to not feel good about this.

We miss them like crazy, but we also love the time the two of us have together. We like that we don’t have to cook dinner every night, we can go out more, and there’s less cleaning or laundry to do.

So if you have college kids who just left this year, I hope you can look on the bright side even though you’re sad sometimes.

 

10 Most Beautiful Areas in America for Fall Colors

The fall season is a glorious time in America. From coast to coast, many different areas off beautiful fall colors in radiant reds, oranges and yellows. So, what are the most beautiful spots in America for fall colors?

Peak fall foliage season is different based on where you are located. Some areas of the U.S. see fall colors as early as September, while others peak later on, such as in October or even November. Generally speaking, areas with longer winters will have earlies fall colors, and areas with longer summers will have later fall colors. Most of America hits peak fall foliage season in the month of October. Of course, areas bordering Canada will be the first to see those colors.

If you’re wondering the science behind the fall colors, the color that the leaves become depends on a few factors. Those include the chlorophyll and weather conditions during the summer or fall. Chlorophyll is a pigment that aids in giving leaves their color. In general, big changes from the norm in precipitation, whether it’s getting way too much rain or not enough, can really impact the fall foliage season.

Also, I remember last year, the radiant colors in my area fell off the trees early. The reason was that we had a wind storm come through, so the leaves fell prematurely. I was pretty upset about it, because not only do I like to see beautiful fall colors, I also like to paint fall colors. So, my muse was gone.

That said, if you are in the mood to view fall colors this year, here are some great places to do it. Read on for 10 Beautiful spots in America for fall colors. What are your favorite areas to see fall foliage? Reach out to me on social media here and let me know.

  • Blue Ridge Parkway - Virginia and North Carolina

    The Blue Ridge Parkway is stunning any time of the year, but especially in the fall. The trees on this 469-mile Appalachian attraction turn beautiful shades in the fall, so it’s a splendor for the senses. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina and is divided into four districts: the Ridge region, the Plateau region, the Highlands region, and the Pisgah region.

  • Vogel State Park in Georgia

    If you’re looking for a late spot to view vibrant fall colors, then we have just the area for you. Vogel State Park, located around the Chattahoochee National Forest in Blairsville, Georgia, is a great area to see fall foliage going into the first half of November. It’s a great late-season trip.

    Vogel State Park

    Reservations Events Photos Park Map

  • Cape May - New Jersey

    Cape May in New Jersey is a delightful area to see autumn colors later in the season. From mid-October and through November, the colors here are bright. Don’t miss the views of the historic lighthouses in the area, too, plus all the area parks.

    CapeMay.com - Free Cape May Travel Guide

    Cape May distinguishes herself in many ways. We have the pristine beaches, promenade, and all the amenities that make any seashore town worth visiting, but we also have a rich history and an architectural diversity equal to none. Plan your visit

  • Traverse City - Michigan

    The north parts of Michigan are glorious in the fall months. Traverse City is located on Lake Michigan, and in the fall, the trees turn bright orange and yellow. This area gets really cold in the winter, so the summer and fall months are the best time to travel there. Spring is nice, too.

    Traverse City

    Traverse City combines breathtaking attractions with a rich blend of adventure and relaxation. Sled down the Sleeping Bear Dunes, voted the "Most Beautiful Place in America" by Good Morning America viewers. The cobalt blue waters of Lake Michigan make a stunning backdrop to the fresh white snow.

  • Lamoille Canyon - Nevada

    Lamoille Canyon in Nevada offers some stunning looks in the autumn months. The area is located in the Ruby Mountains and offers a wide array of fall colors with plenty of different kinds of trees. You can drive on the 12-mile Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway for a prime view.

    The Ruby Mountains of Nevada | Lamoille Canyon | Travel Nevada

    Just 20 minutes from downtown Elko are the Ruby Mountains of Nevada, flush with wildlife, alpine lakes, and lush canyons. Go backpacking, hiking, fishing, and stargazing in and around the Ruby Mountains range, or get a taste of this spectacular countryside on the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive.

  • Torreya State Park - Florida

    I know what you’re thinking. Fall colors in Florida? The Sunshine State isn’t known for their fall colors, but Torreya State Park offers some great, late-season views. The area has quite a few varieties of trees that show their colors in early November. It’s worth the road trip, if you live south of there.

    Torreya State Park

    High bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River make Torreya one of Florida's most scenic places. The park is named for an extremely rare species of Torreya tree that grows only on the bluffs along the Apalachicola River.

  • Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Michigan

    Waterfalls and fall colors? That sounds great to me. The Tahquamenon Falls State Park has one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. This state park is huge, too, offering 50,000 acres of forest. It’s beautiful in the fall.

    Tahquamenon Falls State Park

    Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses nearly 50,000 acres and stretches 13-plus miles in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The park is home to multiple campgrounds, overnight lodging facilities, a boat launch, more than 35 miles of trails and multiple overlooks to the Upper and Lower Falls.

  • Washington Crossing - Pennsylvania

    The Washington Crossing Historic Park is a special, historical area, because it’s the spot where George Washington crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey in 1776. Aside from its history, this Pennsylvania landmark is beautiful in the fall. It offers plenty of bright trees, as well as a colonial reenactment event.

    Home - Washington Crossing Historic Park

    Contribute Now: Help us save our national heritage The mission of the non- profit Friends of Washington Crossing Park is to support the programs of Washington Crossing Historic Park. Your tax-deductible gift will assist the Friends to support and promote the park as an historic site and aid in the preservation, collection and maintenance of materials, buildings, equipment, machinery and artifacts relating to the colonial period.

  • The Great Smoky Mountains - Tennessee and North Carolina

    The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee has some of the greatest fall foliage in America. It also has one of the longest fall foliage seasons, so you get plenty of time to take it in. The colors can arrive as early as the middle of September and go all the way through the middle of November. Take it in.

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

    Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park.

  • Lenox - Massachusetts

    Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary offers a great spot for a hike in the middle part of October, because the colors are so vivid. Expect a delightful view of the vibrant colors. It’s a nice area if you don’t want to travel to New Hampshire or Burlington, Vermont, and it’s a bit more off the radar.

    Lenox, MA |

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Author Joel Katz
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