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By: Joan Tupponce
The scent of warm apple cider wafts through the air. Pumpkins and gourds dot the fields. Nights are crisp and days are filled with abundant sunshine. This is autumn when Mother Nature picks up a paintbrush and colors the forests and mountains with a palette of gold, red, orange and yellow. Leaf peeping has become an annual event for many vacationers who cherish the breathtaking views that fall heralds in. This season is also the time of year when the calendar brims with harvest festivals celebrating the glories of the season and the earth. Autumn getaways tend to be slower paced than their summer counterparts. The cool air and spectacular scenery elicit a feeling of calm and reverence. It's the perfect time of year to plan a road trip that captures the ambience that only the fall season can claim. The fall foliage spectacular, deemed by many as the highlight of the season, generally runs from September through November with October being the peak month of viewing. When planning a fall road trip keep the calendar in mind. You'll find the kaleidoscope of fall color displayed in various sections of each state is best viewed at different times so check peak foliage dates. Many states post those dates on their official tourism websites. The mountains are ablaze in color during the autumn months. Magnificent views can be found from the Green Mountains of Vermont to the Berkshires in Massachusetts; from the Catskills in New York to the Poconos in Pennsylvania: from the Blue Ridge in Virginia and North Carolina to the 2,175 Appalachian National Scenic trail, stretching from Maine to Georgia, and everywhere in between. Be sure to map out a picturesque route filled with country roads and pastoral landscapes. The fall colors add luster to byways dotted with covered bridges and draped by overhanging limbs. Mountain drives during the season unearth many hidden gems, from small towns and rustic farms to mountain peak picnics in locations above the clouds. Wind through state-designated scenic drives such as Route 6 in Pennsylvania known by many as one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country. As you travel through the region, look for festivals and events that celebrate this time of year. The rich bounties of the fall blend nicely with the colorful backdrop. Take the time to visit state parks as well as national and regional parks. Or, enjoy outdoor adventures, everything from white-water rafting to hiking. If you're a music lover, plan to travel The Crooked Road in Virginia, a 250-mile driving tour through the mountain towns of Southwest Virginia filled with legendary bluegrass and traditional mountain music venues. And, if you're looking for an intimate getaway, check out area Inns, bed and breakfast establishments and mountain lodges. You'll also find that many hotels and motels offer scenic fall packages. |