“Country Roads, Take Me Home” (1)

Almost Heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River”

Fall is probably the most beautiful season of the year. The cooler temperatures make it perfect for people to enjoy nature. For Asians, Moon Festival makes autumn a unique season. But here, not much attention is given to Moon Festival. Instead, Americans appreciate this season in a different way. As the tree leaves change color, it is time for a fall leaf tour. One of North America's most popular spots is Shenandoah National Park.

John Denver described it in his song "Take Me Home Country Roads." Skyline Drive, which runs through the park, attracts over 2 million visitors every year.They go to admire the fall leaves. Like most leaf peepers, we left early on a Saturday. A long line of cars was already waiting to enter the park. We drove at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the gold, orange and red leaves. Overlooks provided places to take pictures. Around bends, valleys of different shades of colors caught our eye.


Grammar Gym
The Skyline Drive, which runs through the park, attracts over 2 million visitors every year.
to run: how something long and skinny goes through an area
- A river runs through the middle of the jungle.
- The power lines run along the east side of the building.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Rolling Off the Tongue
Leaf peepers are people who travel some distance to look at and take pictures of fall foliage.

And because of the unusual scenic beauty, I would imagine peepers would want to take their time peeping.

Which means the word "peep" isn't exactly the best word choice. Because according to the dictionary, peep means to take a quick look at something. So why was this word ever chosen to be paired with the word "leaf".

One reason could be meaning. Generally, when people peep, they do it because they are curious. And I think curiosity is one reason people spend time and money to go look at colorful leaves.

True. But there is also the issue of sound. When combined with leaf, peep really rolls off the tongue, which means it's easy to say.

Right! Both words have the long 'e' sound. Leaf, peep, if we were to choose better verbs that suggest a leisurely look at something, verbs like "stare" or "gaze", in place of peep, the phrases become more complicated to pronounce.

They may be more accurate in meaning. But, listen. "Leaf starers" and "leaf gazers", these phrases don't quite roll off the tongue like "leaf peeper" does. Do they.


Language Lab
unique adj.
used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else
uni- prefix
one : single
- The jazz singer's unique voice is very charming.
- The region has its own unique dialect and customs.
uniqueness n. [noncount]
- Each student's uniqueness should be recognized and respected.

instead adv.
/ɪnˈstɛd/
— used to say that one thing is done or that one thing or person is chosen when another is not chosen, cannot be done, etc.
- After winning the lottery, Jonah didn't quit his job; instead, he has kept working at the same company.
instead off — often + of
- Margaret got laid off, but instead of feeling down, she went on a vacation.

admire v.
to look at (something or someone) with enjoyment
- We stood in front of the waterfall admiring the view.
to feel respect or approval for (someone or something)
- The general's character and courage is greatly admired by his colleagues.

shade n.
/ˈʃeɪd/
an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun
- The designer used different shades of pink on the gown.
- There're over 100 shades of eye color on display.
something that is used to block strong light
- We stood in the shade of the tree.


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