It’s official — fall is here. The leaves are turning and it is the perfect time to enjoy nature in all its glory.
    But how about enjoying the scenery from a whole new vantage point? Our local rivers and other waterways don’t have to be off limits just because the weather is cooler. In this issue of Elkhart County Living, local kayak and canoe expert Matt Streib offers tips on picking the perfect boat. Local champion kayak racer Steve Peterson also talks about the joy and health kayaking has brought to his life.
    If you aren’t ready to get your feet wet in a new sport this fall, don’t worry. Our county parks provide a variety of venues to see nature’s handiwork. This issue’s Places in the Park features the history of the River Preserve in Benton and stunning photographs from all the seasons.
    While fall is the time of things going dormant, it is also the time of new beginnings for a certain group of young people. On page 8, two college freshmen share thoughts and feelings about being away from home for the first time.
    Also featured is a man with a little more life experience. Ninety-year-old Robert Fisher talks about his love of woodworking and the joy it brings to him to make beautiful things for other people.
    Fall is also the perfect season for those who like to scare themselves silly. Niles Haunted House in Niles, Mich., is a frighteningly good time for a very good cause. Although not for the faint of heart (or for young children), the house celebrates the Halloween season by raising money for non-profit agencies each year. But if gargoyles and skeletons are not your thing, go ahead and skip over pages 28 and 29.
    Winter is a time of hunkering down, slowing the pace and trying to keep warm. Local chef and baker Rachel Shenk provides several “slow food” recipes perfect for cold weather.
    The featured restaurant is just over the state line in the tiny town of Union, Mich. Sauk Trail serves its own smoked meats and other fare and draws customers from several Indiana counties, including our own Elkhart and St. Joe.
    So whether you opt for adventure and buy your first kayak or hibernate with a hunk of Shenk’s Baked Oatmeal, we at Elkhart County Living hope you thoroughly enjoy the season.
   
    Editor Monica Joseph