We are blessed here in Utah to have the distinctiveness of seasons. But of those four seasons, none take us through the range of diversity as do our autumns. From those sunny September days to the early snowfall on colorful foliage in October to icy November nights, we get to see it all.Autumn is a signal for change. On Nov. 1, the gates on the Guardsman Pass road closed. It was that annual signal that winter was on its way. I drove up on totally clear roads to see for myself.This week, as I drove through our mountains looking at stick figure aspens and fallen leaves blanketing the early winter snow, it was a time to reflect back on the past six months. Wow, what a wonderful season of Sunday Drives we’ve had this year!It all started back in late April with a hike to the top of Ensign Peak in downtown Salt Lake City, surveying the panoramic view out to Utah’s west desert, the Oquirrh Range, and Antelope Island.Being a history nut myself, this year we traveled to a Jeep museum in the central Utah desert and a fire truck collection in Grantsville. Oh, and let’s not forget the Museum of Clean up in Pocatello, Idaho. I still can’t believe I drove three hours to see a collection of vacuum cleaners — but it was, hands down, one of the best adventures of the summer. By the way, I also have my eyes on the Idaho Potato Museum for next year!Sunday Drives are about adventure. And adventure is about discovery. What I try to do with Sunday Drive is to get you to push the envelope a bit. Maybe it’s finding a new easy hike for the family, like Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove. Or perhaps it’s a bit more adventurous, like finally getting your shiny Jeep Wrangler out into the desert to drive through the Elberta Tunnel or climbing the switchbacks up to Inspiration Point in Box Elder County for a panoramic sunset.Over the past six months, Sunday Drive has taken you to 28 new destinations. Each week, I would have this moment of struggle: “Is there really any place new to see?” And each week, a revelation would come upon me — often aided by my wife, Carole. My inspiration for adventure came from my parents. Our childhood trips were frequent, though a bit more docile than what we do for adventure here in Utah today. Growing up in Wisconsin, my sense of history was fueled by trips to Gettysburg, Williamsburg and Jamestown. I got a sense of crazy with weekend trips in the ’50s to northern Illinois to smuggle margarine back to our dairy-only state of Wisconsin — always with a stop at the Wagon Wheel resort or Tibbie’s for a Sunday afternoon fried chicken.What is your family adventure? What memories are you leaving with your kids for them to pass on? With winter descending upon us, Sunday Drives take a bit more planning. Watch the weather. Don’t be afraid to call a forest service ranger station to ask.Looking for one more adventure? Take the family up to hike Coldwater Canyon in North Ogden under The Major Flag, flying proudly for one more weekend.As I close out this season of Sunday Drives, I want to thank all of my readers for your support. I heard from more of you than ever before this season. It means the world to me to have readers come up to me in town to share their enthusiasm for discovering new destinations and growing their sense of adventure.For now, enjoy the transition over to Ridgelines next week. And I’ll see you back next spring with Sunday Drive.The post Sunday Drive: The final fall drive appeared first on Park Record.