And then, in the distance, you hear the sound of 100,000 angry bees, also known as a turbo-charged Subaru, which grows into a thunderous roar, barreling along the wooded road, driver and copilot working together to get their car through the stage as fast as possible.

As someone who loves growing things, foraging and nature, I can’t help but wonder about the impact this annual rally has on the woods that host it.

I know they used to drive across a creek for part of this race but stopped because of the harm done to the creek and the potential of contamination from oil or gas from the cars.

Like most sports, there is a welcoming and thriving community that many people enjoy participating in. But there is also a growing concern about the future of these types of events as more people question what they do to the habitats where they are held. 
 

Just as we’ve seen our growing seasons succumb to wild temperature changes and extreme weather, we realize that change is inevitable. If we want to keep gardening in these new norms, maybe it means growing more drought-resistant varieties or choosing a hybrid that is more resistant to an invasive pest.

So too for driving cars in the middle of the forest. Change is inevitable. But as a sign in the shape of a pumpkin displayed in a shop window in downtown Wellsboro states, “Autumn comes along to remind us that change can be beautiful.”

Change is never easy for any of us, but as we head into this fall season, perhaps we will be reminded that change isn’t always a bad thing. And yes, sometimes, it can even be beautiful.