Fall Foliage Time

 

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

 It is the season and many are thinking about heading to areas to enjoy the fall foliage.  There are places all over the US to enjoy the gorgeous color of nature.  Finding the perfect time to be in the right destination is easy.  The internet has it all mapped out for us.  This particular website is by the weather channel.  Just select the area you want to visit to enjoy fall color and the map will give you an indication of when to expect their peak time.     

Then, if you’re looking for more detailed reports, you can find it on the Foliage Network.  As the season gets closer, detailed updates are added every few days apart.  You can tell if it’s too early, too late or if your planning has been perfect.  This site also keeps previous year’s reports so you can when the perfect time was last year.  However, weather and moisture play a big part in determining when the leaves will change in 2012.

There are lots of places to find foliage maps on the internet.  Another really good one is the Yankee Foliage Network. 

In addition to the maps showing when and where peak season is, there are also recommended drives with some of the best colors in each of the states.

Every site you pull up and probably everyone you talk to will probably tell you of some of the best places to view the leaves.  Many RVers lived in the Northeast.  I’m sure they have their favorites.  It’s probably not a place they would necessarily make a special trip to view the leaves since they lived there.  However, many of us would.  This is one thing that many have on their bucket lists.

You also might have guessed it … there is also a free foliage app for your iPhone and other devices.  You can download it here.

The Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire as long been thought of as one of the best scenic roads to view.  A trip through this road on a weekend will find you behind hundreds of slow moving vehicles and most especially tour buses.  There are probably many other scenic roads that wind you through areas not appropriate for busses.    The internet also lists some of these.

At the Saco Ranger Station just west of Conway, you can pick up a map and begin to plot your stops at the various well-designated scenic overlooks, campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, and historic sites along the Kanc. Unless you plan to drive straight through without stopping, you'll also need to purchase a parking pass. A visitor information center is also located on the western end of the Kanc in Lincoln, should you decide to drive the route in reverse.

The Kancamagus highway is highway 1112 and runs for 34 1/2 miles of beauty.  There are six campgrounds along the highway.  However, my guess if you haven’t booked any of those by now, you probably won’t be able to get a site.  You’ll also need to have a parking pass if you plan on stopping for any viewing along this road.  You can get the parking passes at the ranger stations.

I’ve viewed the leaves in the past in several states but a few years ago I decided I wanted to drive on the Kancamagus Highway.  I wanted to do it very much.  However, most hotels were full, flights were a mess and car rentals were at a premium.  The Northeast is flooded with tourists during fall foliage season.  The best alternative for me was to fly into Hartford, Connecticut.  Thank goodness I had already made reservations close to the airport as Hertz was out of cars.  Even though I had reserved one customers were late turning them in.  I went into panic mode but for no reason as early the following morning a rental car had been delivered to the hotel.  Whee!

The next couple of days were spent driving in New Hampshire and Vermont and checking out the leaves.  My timing was a tad past peak but the area was gorgeous.  As I write this I’m thinking .. I need to do this again sometime, some day.  If you’re heading to view the leaves for great pictures, I might warn you that the areas are flooded.  They are flooded with people and you’re likely to have strangers in those photos.

It definitely is the season.  There are many beautiful sites to see.

‘Tis life on the road.