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The view from Oct. 12 at the vintage base ball season-ender with the Kingston Guards
KEY LEAF ALERT
Welcome to Peak Week
We’ve made it to week six in the state of New York’s annual fall foliage season. This is based on the official timeline that began with a proclamation from Gov. Kathy Hochul on September 3, where she stated: “There’s simply nothing like autumn in New York.”
Not to get political, but I have to agree with her on that one.
The kick off means that not only are the leaves officially starting to change, but we can expect a weekly map, showing each region’s current level of peakness.
Weeks 1 through 5 in the I Love NY 2025 Fall Foliage Season
These maps are produced by the aggregation of reports sent in from a network of more than 90 professional leaf spotters (not “peepers,” as someone from New York’s Empire State Development was quick to tell me).
As part of my Leaf Watch series (and to understand how these maps are made, and to see what a professional leaf spotter sees when deducing that a region has indeed reached “peak”), I went out into the field with Francis X. Driscoll, a 12-year veteran spotter and landscape photographer.
His trick? “I usually just go with my eyes,” he told me.
It’s all in the latest episode of The Jiffy Podcast, which you can listen to below! Coming soon, I’ll have a dispatch from the season-ending matchup between the Kingston Guards and the Ulster Nine – two vintage base ball teams that play by the rules of the 1800s. It was so much fun being a crank for the afternoon that I fear I may have to suit up and join next year.
I'm excited for the cozy time,
James
FROM THE LEAF WATCH DESK IN THE WOODS
Listen to the podcast right here:
A GOOD GUIDE
Support My Work By Buying This Handy Guide
The Jiffy's Peak Leaf Watch Guide is your ultimate companion for leaf season in New York.
Inside you’ll find my favorite leaf-peeping spots across the Hudson Valley, expert tips from Francis X. Driscoll himself, and a curated list of gear and guides for the perfect fall excursion. As a bonus, every guide comes with the coveted Badge of the Cornucopia, your official certification as an accomplished leaf peeper.
Delivered as a digital download, this guide is your ticket to making the most of autumn in all its glory.
Even better, each purchase directly supports the documentary work I do here at The Jiffy!
Email Was Only the Beginning
Four years in the making. One event that will change everything.
On November 13, beehiiv is redefining what it means to create online with their first-ever virtual Winter Release Event.
This isn’t just an update or a new feature. It’s a revolution in how content is built, shared, and owned. You don’t want to miss this.
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