UV Leaf States’ Views & Learning Some History, Too!

10.10.2008 by Savvy Suzy

These states starting with the letters “U” and “V” have trees with leaves that are soaking up the ultra violet, and the results are some outstanding earthy tones. Starting in a state that has plenty of sun that being, Utah (43), which I’ve been to.

Click ~ Delicate Arch

The rocks in these parts are doing some amazing things, too — which we were able to drive through and see. The color that they exhibit can be just as rich and intense as the leaves, and this is all year long! Two of these places with gorgeous rock formations are called Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Some really beautiful rock formations.

A number of these formations, like the one on the right, are located at a place called Arches National Park.

Click ~ Lonesome Wanderer

There is also the Great Salt Lake and the Great Salt Lake Desert, which is where what do you suppose we’ll find? What else, other than, heavy concentrations of — salt!

Okay! We’ve seen rocks and salt, but where are the leaves, if they actually have them? There they are on the left, with a mixture of contrasting colors, to boot!

We’re gonna’ have to move along, because there are a few other states to get in on this leg of our tour. What’s next:

Vermont (44) ~ with a segment of the Appalachian Trail, which runs through several other states that we’ve visited, as well. It also has Lake Champlain, which has a shuttle ferry service, bringing people from different points. Plus, it is one of the main states where you can see leaves. Oh joy!!!

Click ~ Christopher Chan

The picture on the right is in Windham County, in a town called Dummerston, which is reported to have one of the longest covered bridges in the state of Vermont. Looking at the picture on the right, I’d say, ‘It looks pretty darn long!’ These type bridges are in several other states, as well. I haven’t been through any. What about you? Just thought I’d ask.

Click ~ Storm Crypt

I just had to put up one more for this state. This one before the morning sun comes up on Walden Pond. That mystical place where Henry David Thoreau wrote about his experiences in his book called Walden. The colors on the trees cast a soft glow even without the sun…sigh. But we must go on…

Don’t get antsy on me, now, and leave just yet, because I have sort of a finale to end this phase on a high point. That will take place on Monday, October 13th. It’s an interview with someone I met while obsessing over these leaves. I hope you’ll join us then. It will be appropriately enough on, Columbus Day, who kinda liked to go on tours himself. All of this is happening by way of…

serendipity (n.) ~ the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. (AskOxford.com)

…and that’s the way I hope for things to happen, if they will…more often than not.

Click photo by 1sock

Last but not least on this set is, Virginia (45) ~ a state steeped in so much history I don’t know where to start. How about starting with how it actually got it’s name? Well, I found out while researching that it was named after Queen Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, “Virginia” — how does that equate, are you asking yourself? You see, it has to do with her personal life and her — tsk, tsk — being known as the “Virgin Queen”, because she never wed. So if she had wed would the state have been called “Elizabeth” or something else? We’ll never know, besides it wouldn’t have had the same ring to it.

The state was founded by the London Company. And it gets it shape from the Chesapeake Bay and the Blue Ridge Mountains, which includes the Shenandoah Valley. It is home to Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg, which is considered a living museum. Also, on information about Virginia, is the well known story of Pocahontas, which was purported to have played out, and she was, also, known to be a member of the Powhatan tribe.

Click ~ imjustkimmie

Virginia has a lowly location, as I read, called the Great Dismal Swamp, which was living up to it’s name in appearance in some places and others, not, and probably represents a dismal time in United States history. It has served not only as a place to preserve different species of animals and plants, as is now, but in years past it served as a refuge for people, which was spoken of in folklore. We’ve come a long way. Now, the state is a place where some pioneers are reaching to outer space. Amazing!

I feel like we’ve covered a lot of historical ground, on this segment of our Leaf RX Tour. Plus, we got to see some exceptional leaves.

So, as I’ve mentioned before, if you’re just starting to join me and

my little avatar, on our Rx tour, you can go back and check out where we’ve been, if you like: