Autumn Welcomes us with Open Arms....Outdoor Events for All!

by Katy Green
http://www.shoptobegreen.com/

Fall Foliage - Wisconsin

There is so much that can be said about Fall, the changing of the leaves, the smell of apple cider and pumpkin pie in the air.

Outdoor Powwow

Nothing beats attending outdoor Autumn festivals and exploration of nature and there are many ways to enjoy so I have listed some of shoptobegreen.com Top Five Best Sites for Fall Festivals and Outdoor Activities for your perusal and to keep. Visit us often for updates.

Apples picked from an Outdoor Festival

1. Fall Foliage is more than the changing of seasons it is breathtaking so take a self guided tour solo or with family and friends. This site lists all states the are the best for viewing the change of nature. Click link for more: http://www.chiff.com/a/fall-foliage.htm
2. Native American Indians are the indegenous people of the Americas and there are the forefathers of preservation and the organic movement because of their love of Mother Earth and nature and it is an important part of their culture. To attend an American Indian Powwow in your area, click link: http://www.crazycrow.com/events_nativeamerican/
3. Looking for that unique gift, or want to sample a great pecan pie or fresh preserves, well the open markets are the best place to sample local foods and produce. The list created by Farmers Market Online is organized by state and sub region: http://www.farmersmarketonline.com/Openair.htm
4. We love Festivals and although this website looks more like an advertisement page it really does list all the festivals locally and nationally (includes Art, Music,Vendors, Performers and People). See link: http://www.festivals.com/default.aspx
5. There are so many outdoor activities in the Fall especially for those of you that enjoy camping outside in the brisk night air or if you are looking for things to do with the kids. Family Travel Files outlines the best things to do in Autumn in every region of the USA. For more info, click on the link Family Travel Files

by Katy Green

www.shoptobegreen.com

A tour of the America's West by car is priceless, magical and breathtaking.

Shop owner of  www.shoptobegreen.com is on a West Coast exploration for the next three weeks. Her mission aside from relaxation is to find organic eco-friendly products for the Fall season. 

I am happy to share these amazing photos from her trip of America's West with you - our shoptobegreen.com blog readers.  

As a complement to the photos, I included excerpts from Walt Whitman's poetry book Leaves of Grass (1855), The Dancing Seal by Wilfred Wilson Gibson (early 1900's) and There is Another Sky by Emily Dickinson (1800's)

California

I depart as air, I shake my white locks at the runaway sun, I effuse my flesh in eddies, and drift it in lacy jags. I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles. Page 67. Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman

Please Do Not Disturb the Seals
Do not Pick up Seals

Excerpt from The Dancing Seal by Wilfred Wilson Gibson (early 1900's)When, work all over for the day,

He'd take his fiddle down and play

His merry tunes beside the sea,

Their eyes grew brighter and more bright,
And burned and twinkled merrily:
And as I watched them one still night,
And saw their eager sparkling eyes,
I felt those lively seals would rise
Some shiny night ere he could know,
And dance about him, heel and toe,
Unto the fiddle's headdy tune.



California Garden
  



There is Another Sky, Emily Dickinson (1800's)

There is another sky,

Ever serene and fair,

And there is another sunshine,
Though it be darkness there;

Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Never mind silent fields -

Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;


Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been;

In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:

Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!

Trees Please!

by Katy Green
http://www.shoptobegreen.com/

Central Park in the Summer
 Literary Walk
Central Park Promenade

Ever wonder about the trees in your area or about the trees in your local public park? Do you wonder about the history of the park?  Well, I do!

I think about the vastness of Central Park and whenever I go for a picnic with my daughter or for a stroll with my friends I am thankful I have this wonderland of green in the middle of the concrete jungle.

Central Park in the Spring
Literary Walk
Central Park Promenade

According to Ecorazzi, author Edward Barnard and birdwatcher Ken Chaya have mapped almost all of the 20,000 trees in the Central Park! 

It took the duo two and a half years of work and many miles of walking to list all of the those trees. Their hard work resulted in a map “Central Park Entire.” Barnard decided to create this amazing map while writing his book New York City Trees!

Central Park in the Fall
Literary Walk

Central Park Promenade

Central Park in the Winter
Literary Walk
Central Park Promenade

Green History:

All pictures of Central Park in this www.shoptobegreen.com article are of the famous Central Park Mall Promenade featured in many film numerous times; aka Literary Walk located between 67th and 73rd street.

Did you know the mall was originally designed as formal promenade for the upper class!
The park is lined with Elm Trees. There are many statues of literary figures along the Mall, including Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. Literary Walk is located in the middle of the park and you can access it via the B or C at 72nd street.
 
For more on the 400 national parks in the USA, check out The National Park Service site.