My friend Bill Dulude and I decided to take a ride on our motorcycles around the big loop of The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont yesterday. We left Western Ma. and traveled up I 91 to Brattleboro Vt. then drove up Rt 30 north. We cut across the Green Mountains and down the other side to Manchester Vt. Our goal was to drive the Skyline Drive toll road. When we got to the base of the toll road and went in to get a ticket, we were informed that the road was closed as of now because of zero visibility up on Mount Equinox. The mountain was engulfed in the clouds. Well I will say it now, that my teeth were chattering so much from the cold grey ride across the mountains, I was not too bummed out that we could not go riding up another Vermont Mountain right now. I didn't have any chaps to ride with. After we had some coffee at the base lodge, we decided to head down the valley on Rt 7a south to Bennington for lunch.
We stopped for lunch at The Blue Benn diner. After we finished our lunch, we rode back over the top of the mountains on Rt 9 east. It was strange to be on the western side of the Green Mountains where it was very cloudy and cold. On the eastern side ( Ct River Valley) there was a little bit of sun that helped make for a nice ride. Once we got into Wilmington Vt as we drove down the mountains and took Vt Rt 100 south for a bit then Rt 112 south back into Western Ma.
The ride that day is without a doubt one that is worth the effort. I had also traveled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire the day before for work so I have seen some scenery this week. I will say, the fall foliage season has started in the Northern Parts of New England. Those changes in colors that were just starting to show during the last three weeks are now in full transition.
We are real lucky to live in an area of the country where the Fall Foliage happens in such a big way. It is a special time of the year. People come from all over the world to view the spectacle of colors. The timing of the foliage will vary every year. I have traveled " Upta Camp " to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont for the last five years during the last weekend in September. We have seen the foliage at its peak, past peak and not yet peaked, every year when we take our ride north to visit the Fall Foliage Festival in Burke.
The peak foliage will run through till mid to late October down in the southern parts of the Northeast. During the course of the season there will be many peaks on different mountains and in the valleys along the way. The changes will pass by all of us as the blanket of colors moves along on its annual migration south. You can make plans for a road trip based on the timing, as it travels along towards you. With a bit of luck as you travel, you are sure to come across those brilliant dazzling reds, oranges and gold's that are part of Mother Natures greatest kaleidoscope of color.
I have this feeling that this year’s colors will be fantastic based on the moisture we’ve experienced in the spring and early summer of this year. The tree are able to store lots of sugars in their leaves and that will give them a lot of energy for this time of the year. Add those cool nights and no killer frost for a while and we will be in for quite a show. Make sure you have your camera packed with you when you are on your Road Trip, capture those pictures and your special moments will be forever frozen in time. The days of road trips for this year are now winding down, get out there and enjoy yours before it’s too late. Helene and I will have the picnic basket ready as always and look forward to the foliage, apple festivals and memories that are about to be made. There are many sites on the internet that track the fall foliage, with a little planning, timing and a tank of gas you can map out a good route. I have a link to track the fall foliage here.
The colors of fall are just another scene in an ongoing show of life. The foliage, like the blossoms of spring, are actors on Mother Nature’s stage. Were dazzled by the performance; then left in awe as we await the next scene. Life’s spectacles comes quickly. Blink once and it's here. Blink twice and it's gone.
We stopped for lunch at The Blue Benn diner. After we finished our lunch, we rode back over the top of the mountains on Rt 9 east. It was strange to be on the western side of the Green Mountains where it was very cloudy and cold. On the eastern side ( Ct River Valley) there was a little bit of sun that helped make for a nice ride. Once we got into Wilmington Vt as we drove down the mountains and took Vt Rt 100 south for a bit then Rt 112 south back into Western Ma.
The ride that day is without a doubt one that is worth the effort. I had also traveled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire the day before for work so I have seen some scenery this week. I will say, the fall foliage season has started in the Northern Parts of New England. Those changes in colors that were just starting to show during the last three weeks are now in full transition.
We are real lucky to live in an area of the country where the Fall Foliage happens in such a big way. It is a special time of the year. People come from all over the world to view the spectacle of colors. The timing of the foliage will vary every year. I have traveled " Upta Camp " to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont for the last five years during the last weekend in September. We have seen the foliage at its peak, past peak and not yet peaked, every year when we take our ride north to visit the Fall Foliage Festival in Burke.
The peak foliage will run through till mid to late October down in the southern parts of the Northeast. During the course of the season there will be many peaks on different mountains and in the valleys along the way. The changes will pass by all of us as the blanket of colors moves along on its annual migration south. You can make plans for a road trip based on the timing, as it travels along towards you. With a bit of luck as you travel, you are sure to come across those brilliant dazzling reds, oranges and gold's that are part of Mother Natures greatest kaleidoscope of color.
I have this feeling that this year’s colors will be fantastic based on the moisture we’ve experienced in the spring and early summer of this year. The tree are able to store lots of sugars in their leaves and that will give them a lot of energy for this time of the year. Add those cool nights and no killer frost for a while and we will be in for quite a show. Make sure you have your camera packed with you when you are on your Road Trip, capture those pictures and your special moments will be forever frozen in time. The days of road trips for this year are now winding down, get out there and enjoy yours before it’s too late. Helene and I will have the picnic basket ready as always and look forward to the foliage, apple festivals and memories that are about to be made. There are many sites on the internet that track the fall foliage, with a little planning, timing and a tank of gas you can map out a good route. I have a link to track the fall foliage here.
The colors of fall are just another scene in an ongoing show of life. The foliage, like the blossoms of spring, are actors on Mother Nature’s stage. Were dazzled by the performance; then left in awe as we await the next scene. Life’s spectacles comes quickly. Blink once and it's here. Blink twice and it's gone.
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