Leaves begin to change color along the banks of the Illinois river near Tahlequah, Okla., taken on October 17,2012. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World
Red leaves lit by the sun near the intersection of 32nd and Peoria in Tulsa on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
If you’ve waited to make your
fall foliage pilgrimage until this weekend, it may be too late.
At least in the north. For the best color, you’re going to have to head south.
As a former Arkie, I’m partial to the Natural State’s outdoor recreation opportunities, as faithful readers will know. But there are amazing vistas and views in Oklahoma, and the best are starting to reach their peak foliage potential.
The tourist departments from
Oklahoma and
Arkansas posted their most recent fall foliage updates yesterday. Here they are.
In northeast Oklahoma, foliage is past peak, with about two thirds of the leaves at Sequoyah State Park now gone. Around Tenkiller, about half of the leaves remain with a nice mix of reds, greens, yellows and browns. Northern and north-central Arkansas is also past peak, with leaves falling more rapidly.
The change down south is a few weeks behind, however.
Around Robbers Cave and Talimena National Scenic Byway, peak color is still a couple week away. Right now, there is still some green with reds and yellows dotting the rolling hills. At the eastern end of the Talimena byway and across the Ouachita Mountains, it’s about the same. Peak color there is expected a little later in November.
While it’s quite warm today, it
won’t last. An approaching dry cool front will drop temperatures back to normal, making this weekend perfect for your leafer excursion.
What are you seeing where you are? Send me you photos at
jerry.wofford@tulsaworld, or tweet them to me
@jerrywofford. Or just say hi; I don’t want to tell you want to do.
