Though I was born and raised in Upstate New York in the foothills of the Adirondacks, I thought I hated cold weather until I spent a few years in the heat and humidity that was the 10-month summer of central Florida. Yeah, being able to go the beach was great, but since I didn't have the funds to open a margarita hut on the sand, I had to have a real job. That meant the beach was only for the weekends and the rest of the time I alternately sweltered or froze, depending on whether I was outside or in.

Every October, I'd feel a little melancholy set in as I'd look out of my office window on the third story of the building in which I worked in downtown Tampa. Palm trees were the only trees I saw, planted in the midst of a sea of cobblestones and concrete. Where were the real trees? The maples, oaks, pines? The beautiful colors of Autumn? They were home, which regardless of how many years I spent away was always back in New York.

I've never met weather I loved more than the weather of the Fall season in the Adirondack region. Yes, there's usually a fair amount of rain, but the sunny days more than make up for it. The sun's rays take on a gorgeous, muted golden tone this time of year, and the warmth is really only felt when you stand directly in its glow. The air is otherwise crisp and clear, and to breathe it is invigorating. Nights are chilly - blissful sleeping weather best spent burrowed under a thick down comforter, nestled against the warmth of a loved one. And to pull on soft, warm sweaters, jackets and jeans after months in shorts and tank tops - well, it just feels like home.

The best, however, is the gorgeous Fall foliage. Leaves in shades of crimson, orange and gold are visually devine. To hike one of the peaks, or to drive or take a bicycle tour through the Adirondack mountains on a two-lane road with the soft, golden sunshine filtering through the brilliantly-shaded tree tops is nothing short of heavenly. A lakeside picnic in this idyllic setting is one of the most romantic, memorable experiences one could have.

Thousands flock to the Adirondack region this time of year, but the mountains seemingly absorb them. Unless you visit one of the resort towns, such as beautiful Lake Placid, and notice the crowds, or see a bus from one of the many companies who sell tours of the area to leaf-peepers of all ages, you may never realize how popular a Fall destination this is.

The splendor of Autumn... it's the primary reason why, for me, New York will always be home.