WHEN AN INTERVIEW got cancelled at the last minute Thursday, I seized the moment and headed for the hills.

Two things sent me scurrying toward Sperryville and Skyline Drive: predictions of brief and possibly muted fall foliage, and the ever-present threat here of the sniper/killer.

Who knew I'd find a sniper connection at the gateway to the Blue Ridge?

"We had lots of customers these past two weekends mentioning the sniper," said Amy Hicks at her Sperryville souvenir and mountain products store, Virginia Appeal. "Even though the leaves hadn't turned yet, visitors were saying they were glad to get away from the sniper and find some stress relief."

I'll have to admit, on my way into the store that sells Confederate and Union caps and flags, Virginia peanuts and a range of Blue Ridge knickknacks, it was a relief not to feel the need to zig and zag to throw off any shooter.

Inside the store, a retired couple, Joe and Katherine Hallissy of Hampton, said they made the trip without considering peak leaf time or the sniper who has terrorized much of the state.

"We come twice a year to get our apple butter and a big box of apples for making pies," said Katherine, who cut quite a figure in the Union soldier's cap she picked up for the ride home. "We were coming whether the leaves had changed or not."

Just a stone's throw out of Sperryville, Guy and Mattie Sapperfield of Catlett were buying some apples and honey at a roadside stand.

Though they hadn't made the trip solely to get away from sniper territory, they admitted it had been in the back of their minds.

"We were at Warrenton earlier, shopping at a busy shopping center," said Mattie. "We didn't avoid it, but all that's in your thoughts when you're there."

Behind the counter at the fruit, honey and apple butter stand, Mary C. Atkins said she's had a few people mention the shootings. And some visitors have asked about the prediction that this year's drought could ruin the brilliant colors of fall.