Too early for Fall 2007 questions?

[Susan2004]

In the interest of planning ahead, we have already made reservations for our annual October pilgrimage to Vermont. We're planning on being in Waterbury from October 8th - 13th.

Any thoughts on whether that should be around peak for that area? I know it's too early to tell much so I'm asking about generalizations. From what I can tell of the foliage map it looks good.

We are VERY excited! Our daughter will be 2 1/2 so I think she will enjoy herself even more this year.

[pwt54]

It may be just past peak up there at that time. There will be good color but less of the reds and oranges. Head south on route 100 and you will hit peak near route US 4. I'd take route 100 south to Ludlow. Then take route 103 east (or iis it south?) to route 131 in Proctorsville. Take route 131 to route 106 and turn left. This will take you to Woodstock. Take route 12 north from Woodstock to Montpelier and back to Waterbury from there. Something that might interest a 2 1/2 year old are the snowgeese at the Dead Creek Wildlife Area. Take route 100 south to Waitsfield and pick up route 17 west. Take this to route 116 south. Take route 116 south through Bristol village to the flashing red red light about a mile south of the village. Go straight at the flashing light to pick up route 17 west again. Take route 17 to route US 7 north and turn right. Go about 500 feet and turn left on route 17 west. Drive to route 22A. Go straight across route 22A and in about a mile you will see the viewing area on the left. If the geese are close to the fence you may be there a while. If not, then you may want to move on. The colors should be looking good in that area by then. Continue route 17 west and look for route 125 east on the left just before the Champlain Bridge. There is a restuarant called the Bridge there. Great food if you can get in. Take route 125 east to route 22A and turn right. Take route 22A south to route 74 east in Shoreham. Turn left onto route 74 east and drive to route 30 south and turn right. Take route 30 south to route 73 east in Sudbury. Take route 73 east to Brandon and then turn left onto route US 7 north. You can take route US 7 to Burlington to pick up I-189 to I-89. OR you can pick up route 116 north in East Middlebury and drive that to the flashing red light in Bristol again. Go straight onto the Monkton Road and drive that to route 116 again in Hinesburg.(a little shorter and nicer ride) Turn left onto route 116 north and go about 2 miles to pik up route 2A north. Take route 2A north to I-89 north and Waterbury.

[Susan2004]

Thanks for the great info. as always PWT. The snow geese sound like a great idea. I can't believe you're going to be in Florida in October! We're keeping my folks from going to Florida for the winter as early as they would like because they will be joining us in Vermont for this little trip.

We stayed in Ludlow last year and went to the Saturday Farmer's Market on the green and loved it. Unfortunately we are arriving on a Monday and leaving on a Saturday this year, but we're thinking about trying to stop in on our way out of town. We'd also like to hit Proctorsville again as they had the best maple pecan pie we've had so far and would like to get one for the road before we head back to New York.

Here's my question - last year I think it was between Ludlow and Waitsfield that I remember getting an amazing view looking down at a pulloff at the top of a fairly major road - was it Rt. 100? If I could figure out what I was doing I could post a photo of the view to see if it would help you figure out where we were. I want to go there again. Any thoughts?

[pwt54]

I need to go for some cheap clothes at Beall's Outlets and a Waffle House fix. They do their hash browns in REAL butter by the Jeezum !! If the Creater want to fry has brown in canola oil, He wouldn't have created cows.

[pwt54]

I can't picture that kind of lookout on route 100 between Waitsfield and Ludlow. Could it have been route 17 between Waitsfield and Bristol. There is quite a view at the top of the gap. You have to go past the Mad River Glen Ski Area.

[Susan2004]

Ahh. We used to have a Waffle House here. I miss it.

I was wrong. It wasn't our trip last year - it was 3 years ago when I was pregnant. Sorry! That year we stayed in Hinesburg but drove all over, including up to Stowe and we stopped in Waitsfield. I have been wracking my brain trying to remember where it was, but I can't.

I don't know if this will work or not, but I'm going to try and put a couple of pictures here to see if you can recognize where this was.

[Susan2004]

I think you are right BM. It just occured to me to go back and see if my posts from 2004 were still on here and they were. Very impressive that you still have things from 3 years ago! Anyway, here is part of what PWT told me that year:

"When you are ready to ride, go to Hinesburg village and drive south on route 116 until you come to route 17 east in Starksboro. Drive route 17 east to Waitsfield. Drive carefully. I call this road " Little Switzerland" because of all of the switchbacks and tight curves. It's a great ride with good colors and views. At the end of route 17 in Waitsfield, turn right on route 100 south. Drive that to route 125 west in Hancock."

I know we did that portion of what he recommended, which would make it likely that the photos were taken on 17. Thanks for the thought! It was beautiful and I'd like to go back this year. Hopefully we will still see good color going Oct. 8th - 13th.

[pwt54]

Ayup, thta's the Appalacian Gap (Route 17).

[ctyanky]

Hi PWT: I am staying at Liberty Hill Farm for the weekend in Rochester on 10/12 and 10/13. Do you think the peak may have passed in that area then or will we be somewhat on target? We want to go to Middlebury to the Morgan Horse Farm. Any suggestions of nice routes around the Rochester area? We leave Hartford around 7 am to hit the Weston Craft Fair but then want to travel north to Rochester, hitting some nice back roads. Thanks!!!!!

[wentworth]

Susan2004, we've been to Waitsfield also--We went east ,driving thru the covered bridge and up to some nice hills and views--But we never went west on 17 before, or as pwt puts it, "Little Switzerland" road--But we'll hit it this year--thanks for mentioning it

[braveheart]

Hi folks, I'm new to this forum. My wife and I are visiting Vermont from Scotland on October 4 until October 9th staying in Stowe and Killington. We would be very grateful for suggestions of places to visit to see the fall colours at their best.

[seger]

Smugglers notch road is a fabulous drive in the area that you will be in. Be prepared for alot of traffic though. I'm more familiar with the NEK area, but I'm sure someone else will chime in and offer you some great places to check out

[Andy]

Seger, I agree. I lived in a town just north of Smuggler's notch for many of the years I was a Vermont resident (I don't think I ever achieved the status of being a "Vermonter" <G>). I have been over the notch many times, and if you are staying in Stowe, its a "must" drive. You can also go up to the top of Mt. Mansfield (its a toll road and it is very steep and gravel, with numerous switchback turns. But you can do it in a car. Pretty spectacular view from above. If you are adventurous, you can also climb to the top -- but its a climb (the last time I did it, I was 19 years old --at 50, today, I prefer the toll road <G>).

[braveheart]

Thanks seger and Andy, we really appreciate your suggestions. We're renting an SUV so the trip up Mt Mansfield sounds great! This is our first trip to New England and boy are we looking forward to it !

[wentworth]

Thanks for the Smugglers Notch suggestion--I see that its NE of Stowe off Rt 108--We'll be staying in St Johnsbury to the east so it doesn't look that far away from us to get to