Plan your
FALL FOLIAGE EXCURSION
Fall is the time of year to take in colorful foliage and landscapes .
PROVIDED PHOTO
Autumn means different things to many people . Students may embrace the dawn of a new school year , while others might embrace the crisp weather after a season of heat . One of the more widely enjoyed aspects of autumn is the chance to take in the brilliant foliage . Although New England may be renowned for its bright orange , red and yellow panoramas , dazzling displays of foliage can be witnessed anywhere temperatures descend enough for deciduous trees to shed their leaves . The first step to a successful fall foliage excursion is to find the right spot . The Green Mountains of Vermont and Adirondack Mountains of New York , Amish Country in Pennsylvania , the Great Lakes from Michigan to Ohio , and many other areas can be great places to witness nature at its most colorful . To make the most of fall foliage road trips , drivers can keep the following suggestions in mind .
• Get off the highway . To see great fall vistas , take a detour from major thoroughfares and visit small towns and mountain passes . Invest in some maps , as cellular networks may be inaccessible in remote locales .
• Avoid tourist-heavy areas . Drivers may prefer less crowded roadways to accompany the great scenery . Such drivers should visit areas that are not tourist meccas . Any area that plays home to forests and sprawling landscapes will do .
Go on foot . To get the best photos , head out at sunrise or sunset . Going on foot will help you discover the nuances of the season and slow down for a change .
• Go on foot . To get the best photos , head out at sunrise or sunset . Soft , golden light dappled by leaves will bring out the golden tones in photos . Going on foot will help you discover the nuances of the season and slow down for a change .
• Don ’ t overlook overcast days . Traveling in the rain may not be fun , but overcast days might be ideal . On such days , the sun won ’ t be too warm and drown out the colors .
• Bring along binoculars . Wildlife is often mobile and abundant in the fall , as animals scurry to feed and gather supplies before the winter . As a result , autumn is a great time to spot wildlife that ’ s normally hiding in thickets and woodland areas .
• Plan for stops along the way . Don ’ t forget to bring some spending money in the form of cash so that you can enjoy the small farm stands and shops that often dot rural landscapes . Pick up farm-fresh produce or choose a plump pumpkin . Yard sales also are abundant this time of year . Small shops may not take credit cards , so if you plan to buy , cash is king . Trees begin shedding their leaves as early as the beginning of September in Canada and the northern United States . As the days press on , the fall finery will gradually shift southward . For those who can afford to take a weekday off , do so , as weekends might be overcome with fellow nature enthusiasts .
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18 • 2017 Fall Vermont Home , Garden & Car