The next two weeks are the best time to see fall foliage in the mountains surrounding the Washington region.

The mercury in D.C. will go down into the mid-30s and kill what remains of all that is good and warm.

Fall is just a nutmeg and cinnamon-spiced metaphor for dying, but it sure does look pretty for about 12 days.

Several pick-your-own options located within two hours of D.C.

Take advantage of the last of the sweet corn for this rich soup, which makes an elegant appetizer but is also hearty enough to serve as a meal. For the full autumnal effect, eat it while wrapped in a flannel blanket and make apple crisp for dessert.

As cooler temperatures and changing leaves come to D.C., neighborhoods across town gather for a quintessential local tradition: street fairs and festivals.

It feels like this week has really been the turning point for autumn, doesn’t it? The air is crisp, leaves are beginning to turn shade and fall to the ground and the wind against your chest leaves you feeling invigorated as the oxygen burns through your lungs. Obviously, our pool photographers feel the same way I do — there were a ton of photographs of the stark imagery of autumn floating around the DCist pool. Here are some of our favorites. (Though you’ll need to supply your own cardigan, mug of apple cider and bonfire if you want to really optimize the viewing experience.)

Photo by benbalter The D.C. Department of Public Works began its fall leaf collection period this week, so if you’ve got a lot of leaves to deal with around your house, it’s worth a reminder how this works. First things first, head to http://leaf.dcgis.dc.gov/ and search for your address on the DPW leaf collection status map. The map will return a list of of scheduled leaf collection periods for your area. Take a note…