Too early for foliage?

[rxchiquita]

We've been dying to travel to VT for years to catch the fall foliage, but usually work schedules keep us from doing so. This year, we will be travelling from mid to late September - will this be too early to catch changing colors? If not, any recommendations on 'best chance' locations? We're considering building our trip around a self-guided tour of covered bridges - any inout on that idea? Thank you in advance!

[pwt54]

The later in September the better. Look for foliage in northeastern Vermont. You have about 15 covered bridges between Stowe and Montgomery, Vt. You have quite a few in the Lyndonville Area along the Vt. and NH. border. Finding them is a challenge because they are mostly off the main roads. I recommend going down to Windsor, Vt. and checking out the Windsor - Cornish bridge because it's the longest in the US.

[pwt54]

OOPS, forgot to mention, if you go into Montpelier,Vt. for a look-see, stop in at the welcome center at 134 State Street and they can print out some covered bridge maps that I made for them before I transfered to the Georgia welcome center.

[sharan]

There is a wonderful book called "The Covered Bridges of Vermont" by Ed Barna(I think that's his name.) We used it last year on our trip in October to Vermont and I highly recommend it! The directions are very accurate plus you get background info on each bridge. When you decide which areas of Vermont you plan to visit, you can locate the bridges in that area. You can order it from Amazon for less than $15.<BR> I don't think you will be disappointed if you center your trip around the bridges. Most of them are in lovely settings. Have a great trip!

[rxchiquita]

Thank you both for your responses! We will be staying in St. Johnsbury for several days and radiate out in different directions daily. Will definitely look into that book on Amazon, Sharan - Thanks! <P>pwt54 - we're currently living in GA as well - Savannah area. Small world.<P>

[pwt54]

Been to Savannah a couple of times. Great city. My sister lives in Jacksonville and I go down to visit every year. In mid to late September, good color can be found north of route US 2 and east of route 100. From St. Johnsbury go to West Burke and pick up route 5a north to route 105. This takes you by Lake Willoughby,an incredible lake. At route 105 turn right and go to Island Pond village, by passing the route 114 south road for now. In the village pick up route 114 NORTH. Follow that until the route 102 south in Canaan. Take route 102 south to the route 105 jct. in Bloomfield. There are only 3 places with restaurants, Island Pond, Norton, and Canaan, so plan accordingly. In Bloomfield, take route 105 west through the village of Island Pond to the jct. of route 114 SOUTH that you bypassed and take that back to Lyndonville. Watch out for MOOSE. They are as dumb as they look and won't move for your car. From Lyndonville take I-91 south to St. Johnsbury. With the exceptions of US 2 and route 15 between Hardwick and Johnson, all of the roads in that area I mentioned above are lightly traveled to downright lonely. There is one must drive route you should do near the end of your vacation and that is route 100 from Lowell,Vt. to US 4. Have fun.

[Broomrider]

HI!<BR>Route 9 from Bennington to Brattleboro and up route 100 is always a good bet. If you look on a map there is a higher elevation on the very southwest corner of the state in that area where the reds come out early, are spectacular and then go quickly. The Northeast Kingdom up route 91 is very good; during peak you will see mountain after mountain of red if you hit it. Every year is different. <BR>Sally Broomrider

[rxchiquita]

Howdee, everyone!

We're preparing for our trip to VT this weekend (provided Isabel doesn't dash our plans by smashing into the GA coast...) and are we pumped!

We got the book on covered bridges by Barna - is nice how he offers tips on photos and parking, etc. Have been cruising the 'net for fun things to do like maple farms, orchards, brew pubs... found a site for a corn maze which we might try (corn down here only gets about 5 feet high, on average, and their site boasts 10 foot stalks)

Any further suggestions? All of your comments have been helpful and have got us excited about this trip - Thank you, all, for your input!

chiquita {

[GIC]

If you have been dying to travel to Vermont for years to catch the fall foliage I would change my travel itinerary from mid to late September to late September / early October. At this time of the year it would be a let for down for you. I have been traveling Southern Vermont and all of Massachusetts each year for seven years. I’m not sure where your entry point to Vermont will be. Yesterday I scouted south-southeast Vermont and there is hardly enough color change to justify a trip in the area. Area covered was Hwy 91 North from Massachusetts to Rt. 9. Turning north on Rt. 100. Rt. 100 to Rt.30. Rt. 30 to Hwy 91 South back to Massachusetts. I travel through certain areas of New England early to get pre information for fall foliage. Talking with the locals at different locations, their prediction for good all around color for that area of Vermont will be set on 26th / 27th of September and better has each day progresses. I recommend you wait your trip out as long as possible to arrive in October.
Covered bridges will always be there and have there own mystic during all four seasons. I visited 2 on the described route. Hope this has been of help to you and others.