Those autumn leaves

It’s one of those subjects where too much knowledge just lessens the impact. Science just doesn’t capture the awe. Or the “Ahhhhh.”

You can explain why leaves change color as the days grow short. Scientifically, it has to do with the miracle of photosynthesis.

You can go into great detail about how, once that process stops, leaves begin to feed off stored glucose. You can point out that leaves are green because of the presence of chlorophyll, and how once it is drained away, hidden tints of red and gold, purple and orange are revealed.

Kinda dull, huh? It’s a little like receiving a lecture on clockmaking when all you really want to know is the correct time.

To get the full impact of splendor that is our fall foliage, you must see it. See it in its natural state, before the coming icy winds whip the trees bare for winter. You must see with your own eyes the many variations on themes of orange and gold one tree can explore. You must walk beneath their boughs, the fallen leaves around your feet and the scent of fall in your nostrils.

Even from your car, the views are spectacular, and they are not bound to any specific neighborhood. The cool evenings have brought color everywhere you look, and even at nearly $3 a gallon for gasoline, it’s worth the drive to take it all in.

There’s a name for this activity: Leaf peeping.

For the avid leaf-peeper, there’s nothing quite like the magnificence of established neighborhoods. The trees are mature and stand a stately guard – stretching out their branches on a grand scale.

Here are a few areas that should not be missed.

“Millwood is breathtaking in the fall. The tree canopy that covers Liberty and Dalton avenues dip liberally from palettes gold and orange, especially when sun-dappled. And the neighborhood is perfectly designed for a casual walk – a perfect place for a little romantic interlude, hand-in-hand.

“Manito Park is splendid as well, sprawling across acres of the South Hill. It’s a perfect place for kids to play in leaf piles while the family dog romps after a Frisbee or tennis ball. Or you can sit by the pond, appreciate the view and meditate on the change of season. Just remember to breathe deep the crisp air tinged with the woodsy smells of autumn.

“Finch Arboretum was designed for fall days. Flocks of spectators turned out Saturday for the annual leaf festival – complete with leaf-diving – and the sheer magnificence of the area must be seen to fully appreciate.

“On the near North Side, Corbin Park is an absolute must. The drive along Waverly Place on the north side of the park, is awash in the brightest reds imaginable. By the time you loop around to the northeast edge of the park, the reds have given way to the richest purples imaginable.

“The Eastern Washington University campus takes on a classic, academic look during fall – a mixture of scholarship and nature, with reds deep enough to rival the football team’s helmets.

“Speaking of college campuses, the treasure that is Whitworth College is a must-see as well. The splash of color is a perfect counterpoint to the stately pines that line the campus.

But perhaps the most spectacular colors are the ones right in your own neighborhood. You watched those trees sprout their leaves and rejoiced in the coming of spring. You’ve enjoyed the shade of those rich, green leaves through an entire summer. And now, as they prepare to fall and start the whole process over again in the coming year, you can appreciate them one last time.