Hi! My name is Alyssa, and this year, I got to chase my favorite season: fall. I unknowingly set up the perfect travel plans to spend three months in this peak season. From the beginning of September through the end of November, I drove through the western United States. I started in Wisconsin and went to Montana, then down through Wyoming and Idaho, stopped in Utah, and finally journeyed to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

I saw fall colors bloom across Montana halfway through September during the first month of my road trip. Being up in the mountains, Montana has already started to get pretty cold in September, with the average temperatures ranging from 40-60°F. This means that fall was underway! Fall in Montana this year was surprisingly rainy, but I was able to get out and explore a few areas near Bozeman and Yellowstone during the less gloomy days. I went hiking near the Hyalite Reservoir, where yellow began to dot the trees and grasses. The peak of Montana fall came near the end of September.

Once I got to Salt Lake City, Utah, I knew I had to get right out into the forest to see the changing colors. The fall hues were starting to come in strong, making hiking through the woods feel like I was in a painting. I spent a month in Utah, splitting my time between the north and south. I spent about 2 ½ weeks near Salt Lake City and the remaining 1 ½ weeks near Kanab, in Southern Utah. I took a few more hikes in northern Utah than in Montana due to less rain and warmer weather (50-70°F). Peak Utah fall was around the second week of October. The last set of pictures also came from outside SLC. Kanab had about the same climate, although I didn’t hike as much.

After a shorter stint in Kanab, I traveled through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. These states don’t offer the traditional fall aesthetic of changing leaves and cozy vibes, but it was cooler than the desert heat. In November, the enchanting charm of fall began to wean. I will be in Texas through December, so we will see how winter progresses. Although I did not intend to spend three months in the peak of my favorite season, I am entirely grateful for the experience!

Story authored by Alyssa Ashley White, a novice traveler who is exploring the world of writing. Originally from Wisconsin, she moved to Oregon this past year and has been living out of her Jeep Wrangler for three months. Taking time to travel allows her to venture into new hobbies like writing, yoga, hiking, journaling, and meditation.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Did you enjoy this blog post? If yes, show some love. 🙂 Maintaining a website, traveling to create content, and paying writers are not free. If you’d like to support this effort, please share this blog with your networks or send money to Brianna Rae via Venmo. | @Brianna-112 (last 4 digits 0257) |