New England fall colors

[DavidMn]

So anyway, I'm thinking of going to the Lindsey shows in Reading, Atlantic City, Lebanon and Northampton. Now there's a day off in between Lebanon and Northampton, October 13. What I'm probably going to do is stay in Brattleboro Vermont and the next morning , the 13th, drive up to Burlington then down highway 7 into Massachusetts thru Pittsfield back into Springfield where I'll be staying. What I'd like to know from those of you that would care to share is:

1. Is the middle of October the peak for the fall colors

2. Has anyone taken this drive and what could you recommend




Thank you in advance!

[paleshadow]

David,
Here is a Vermont web site that attempts to give tourists an idea of the fall foliage. Usually it depends on how dry or wet the summer was. When the summer is very dry the leaves tend to turn much earlier. This year it was pretty wet, so I'm assuming mid October should be OK. Here is the link:

http://www.vtonly.com/forecast.htm

[DavidMn]

thank you. I'm really looking forward to this. Ive never been out east in the fall.

[Chilly Willy]

The drive from Burlington down to Williamstown, MA on Rt 7 is beautiful any time of the year, but it's long. If you don't want to spend that much time on the road, or want to have more time to get out of the car and walk around and take pictures, or if the leaves are past peak that far north, or if it's rainy and foggy, or whatever, allow me to suggest an alternative.

You can take I-91 along the river down to Greenfield, MA, then catch Rt 2, the Scenic Mohawk Trail, west over the Berkshires to Rt 7. Then down 7 to either Rt 20 or the Mass Pike east into Springfield. The Mohawk trail is, IMHO, the nicest drive in the Northeast. Plenty to see from the road, lots of places to stop and stretch along the way. If it's raining, there's the Mass MoCA museum in North Adams and the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown. Lots of nice little restaurants in Williamstown for lunch. Another way to go, depending on what you're into, is to take Rt 8 south from North Adams to Rt 20 instead of Rt 7 from Williamstown. Rt 7 hits a bunch of towns, while Rt 8 is pretty much mountain wilderness.

Nothing wrong with your original plan - just wanted to throw some options out there.

[eclipse]

Hi David,
I am in New Hampshire and our "peak time" is usualy around Columbus day, like when you are coming...better than mid October, early October or late September are THE BEST!
But again depends on the summer and the rain, wind-whatever
It is always beaurtiful here, but especially when the leaves are changing-
The evergreens, (pines-cedars and such) have a vibrant green color, so the changing of maples (red) and beech's (yellow) , for example, look beautiful against the greens too.

You will be here at the perfect time- Only drawback is....historically, we get a "Nor'easter storm with high winds around the same time so sometimes that blows alot of the leaves away.
Some people think it looks the nicest against a cloudless blue sky. Personally, I love the colors on a fall day when our skies have a heavy cloud cover-the clouds are dark purple and blue and really accentuate the colors of the leaves.
Anyway-Hope that helps- no matter which way you drive you are going to be all around the area that is peaking so you'll be all set! Won't matter which route you take.

Tell Lindsey I said Hi! and Have a safe and fun trip-
Buy some maple syrup while you are in vermont-It's delicious. Seriously!
Our farm apples are excellent then too , try a Macoun, if you can find one-YUM!!
- Just an fyi....

[DavidMn]

Excellent. this is all very valuable information! Hopefully, I'll see some of you at the shows.

[SuzeQuze]

That is a good time to come for the foliage. The best thing is that peak time is different in the mountains, in NH and VT, and in MA. So you have a couple of weeks' span in terms of the window for peak leaf peeping.