Up-to-the-minute leaf-peeping
What’s the forecast for autumn leaves? Plenty of hotlines and Internet resources exist to point fall foliage hounds toward their quarry. The U.S. Forest Service provides an update on a Web site (www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/press/fall.htm) and by phone (800-354-4595). You can also check the forecast at www.exploreasheville.com, www.weather.com/activities/driving/fallfoliage, www.mastgeneralstore.com/fallcolor/fallcolorupdate.php3 and www.visitnc.com (1-800-VISIT-NC). If you can’t make it west to enjoy the autumn plumage of North Carolina’s mountains, pay a virtual visit through live “foliage cams” at www.earthcam.com/features/fallcams/2002. For a look at how you can enliven your own autumn landscape, check out these photos of worthy tree and shrub species in their fall finery: www.usna.usda.gov/PhotoGallery/FallFoliage/FallFoliage01.html and www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/fallcolor/trees.html.