drive itinerary and accomodation advice

[bharatmd]

Hi,<BR>I am flying into manchester ,NH on oct 12th and leaving oct 16th,for new england fall foliage trip.Any recomondations regarding drive itinerary and accomodations would be greatly appreciated.I want to experience true new england fall in quaint towns with picturesque scenery.Thanks.

[pwt54]

Ohman, that is the busiest weekend of the year in northern New England. You may want to check the area from Concord,NH to Nashua,NH and see if you can find something. Northern NH will be booked by the time you get there. Vermont will be close to booked. Southern Vermont around Brattleboro - Wilmington/Mt Snow - Bennington/Manchester,Vt. would be your best chance. The best area i NH to sightsee is the triangle area between Routes I-93 - 112 - and 302. That's the heart of the White Mountains. In Vt. any road north of route 11 will be a great ride in in Peak Color. I can't help you with NH but in Vt. log onto <A HREF="http://www.1-800-vermont.com" TARGET=_blank>www.1-800-vermont.com</A> and find a room as soon as possible. If you can find something on Route US4 at a ggod price, take it! That's a perfect location on that weekend.

[karielaw]

It is getting a little late to find a room at a decent price. The drive from Manchester to Vermont is easy and you cross the border into Vermont after about 45 min to an hour. Places to try depending on your liking and the price you want to pay;<BR>Ski resorts: Ascutney (central by White River Junction) Stratton (more south west). The Golden Eagle in Stowe is OK. We are staying in Smuggler's Notch that weekend. If you don't mind high prices you might try the Equinox in Manchester, Vermont or the Trapp Lodge in Stowe. Manchester, Stowe, Woodstock are all great towns to stay.<BR>Good luck and book right away!

[karielaw]

One more thing...<BR>You will get the new england fall in quaint towns with picturesque scenery no matter where you go in Vermont.<BR>Have a blast and watch the leaf watcher rules.

[Aleksh]

do a quick search and find the areas you think look most appealing then call the chamber's of commerce in those areas, they will generally have the best handle on who loocally has lodging available. <P>In NH consider the White Mts area and Keene Monadnock area, in vermont the Okemo valley is nice, Woodstock Queechee is crowded then but nice as is Manchester.<P>Hope this helps<P>But don't take too long even places with no marketing are filling up fast<P>------------------<BR>Aleks & Michiko Hunter<BR>Old Town Farm Inn <BR>665 Vt. Rte 10<BR>Chester, Vt. 05143<BR> <A HREF="http://www.otfi.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.otfi.com</A> <BR>1-888-232-1089<BR>"Its not our Green Mountain state, its our Greem Mountain State of Mind" SM

[sharan]

Hey karielaw,<BR>I am also from Texas. We are leaving in the morning and flying in to Hartford, Ct. Will be in Vermont on Friday and Saturday. This is our first trip to New England. Just curious--What are the leaf watcher rules?

[karielaw]

Sharon, <BR>It sounds like a lot of Texans are going to be in Vermont in October. Of course while you are in Vermont you see beautiful things that you want to capture in a picture (you never can capture the true beauty). People pull over quickly, stop in streets, go on privcate drives... <BR>After my first trip to Vermont I read the back of a small Vermont Green Mountain Guide and it listed Foliage Viewing Tips. We had broken most of them. Looking back on these I know they seem obvious, but it is funny how seeing the beautiful sites can take over your normal thought patterns.<BR>A few are:<BR>1. If while cruising along at 65 miles per hour, the most awe inspiring vision of natural ornementation beckons you to pull into the breakdown lane and stop, resist the temptation. Do not exit the vehicle with a camera to frame a photograph. This conduct may not only be detrimental to your health, but can also be an invitation for an educational encounter with law enforcement. Instead continue the journey while enjoying the view, since multitudes of similar images await those exploring the countryside far away from the highway.<BR>2. Once on the smaller roadways and the leaves cry out for beholders to pause, pull your vehicle completely off the traveled portion of the roadway to avoid becoming a hazard.<BR>3. The photographer should be positioned off the roadway in a safe location. ALso be aware of placement because many property owners take offense to unfamiliar individuals on their private land.<BR>4. If leisurely using the same roads as those who live in this spendor and are trying to get home, or to their destination and a string of autos develop behind your car, pull over to a safe location and allow others to pass.<BR>5. if occasions arise where your attention is not 100% on the road, pull off and bring the car to a stop.<BR>Have fun.

[Aleksh]

Good rules karielaw,<P>One that should be added is thatit is recommended to explore the back country and this means taking a lot of dirt roads. You may not see law enforcement officials on the back roads as much, and that is because the speed limits are enforced by Issac Newton, especially after a rainfall. When an object is set in motion etc. <P>Allow plenty of time to stop, and take your time around curves. Also heed the horse signs and children at play signs and slow down a little; you;ll enjoy the view more that way.<P>Another important rule is to leave the wild life alone. the idea of a picture of your child with a moose may be cute, but the outcome of closely approaching a bulll moose at this time of year can be pretty unpleasant. If you go to one of the places where you can watch bears at sunset, please DO NOT feed them and Do not get near to them. It is bad for the bears and can be very bad for you.<P>Also allow extra time for meals. Every inn and restaurant is doing double the usual business during this three week period, and it is next to impossible to up staffing for such a short period with competent people. So service may be a little slower than at other times or in the "big cities" or at your favorite chain restaurant. Take advantage of the extra time you have to share with that special person you are travelling with. Have a pleasant conversation watch the people around you. The water/waitress is working much harder than uusual and he or she will get to you as fast as she possibly can. We all want your stay to be everythign you hoped it would be. Make reservations at every place you expect to dine as far in advance as you can. remember if a restaurant seats 60 and 60 people show up at 7:00 for dinner, someone will be served first and someone else last. Think about having diner earlier or later than the peak 7:00. If you do you will be one of a smaller number of people you server has to tend to.<P>One last ting bring clothing for a variety of weather extremes. Especially iof you plan on doing any hiking. At this time of year it can be eighty degrees one day and snow the next. You can take a parka off on a warm day but there is nothing that will make those pedal pushers do the job if the white stuff flies. We carry extra sweaters for guests that hike with us, just in case they take our weather prognosis with a grain of salt. Many guests have been very grateful that we have done so.<P>Last and most important is to have a great time. enjoy the vistas and charm that no corporation can ever emulatelet alone duplicate. Take a step back in time, see a slice or two of days gone by. You'll be glad you did<P>------------------<BR>Aleks & Michiko Hunter<BR>Old Town Farm Inn <BR>665 Vt. Rte 10<BR>Chester, Vt. 05143<BR> <A HREF="http://www.otfi.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.otfi.com</A> <BR>1-888-232-1089<BR>"Its not our Green Mountain state, its our Greem Mountain State of Mind" SM