I grew up in Massachusetts and we had a gigantic maple tree in our front lawn, along with abundant other oaks, birches, apples, redwoods, and other trees. When I was a kid I'd go out in the fall and bury myself under the leaves that covered the lawn.

I've lived in the Bay Area for a decade and generally think our weather is much better than New England's, but I do miss the seasons. October is spectacular in New England.