How would these drives be??

[JohnD]

I am travelling on Oct 12th/13th and wanted to know how these drives would be:<P>1. Hwy 100 to the view of Mt. Bromley on hwy 11. Then taking the backroads from Peru to Weston.<P>2. How is the view from the Brandon Gap? If other gaps, like Licoln, Middlebury and Appalachian are seen then should I leave out Brandon ? What about the route from Goshen to Ripton?<P>3. Hows the drive from Ripton to Licoln and then to Jerusalem, Appalachian Gap to Waitsfield?<P>Any advice and inputs are appreciated. This is great site and has very knowledgable people who share their valuable advice !

[pwt54]

The Bromley area won't have the beat foliage at that time, but the ride is nice anyway. Any of the gap roads are fun. The farther north the better the foliage. The Roxbury Gap road that starts on route 12A in Roxbury and goes to Warren is a good ride. The way the colors are traveling right now, I'd say that peak colors will be between route 15 and route US4.

[Aleksh]

Here in Chester, 20 minutes east of Bromley the leaves are starting to turn nicely, I'll post some of today's pictures on our site later today Which i'l take after the rain stops and things clear up.<BR>We have a hard frost advisory for tonight which should trigger more of the trees to turn. Bromley pass on Rt 11 had started to turn the other day when we were ther on the way to Manchester (Friday) the Rift valley along Rte 11 still has a little to go inthe lower elevations. By the holidy it should be fantastic, which means it'll be crowded over there.<P>The drives you mention will be pretty nice with or without any "foliage". Its ust that nice an area. Take a detour from weaston east to Andover then down into Chester. head North on 103 from Chester to Rte 10 by us and four miles east to Rte 106. go 3.5 miles on rt106 north to 131. Take 131 back to 103. 131 is a designated "scenic road" and the foliage is turning nicely in that valley already. I was there yesterday, not relying on secondhand "reports." Take 103 north to Ludlow and you'll be back to 100. the circuit should take 45 minutes to one hour and will be very well worth it. There is a gorgeous covedred bridge one half mile west of the 131/106 intersection on your left on Upper falls Road. Veryt photogenic right now. I'l post a picture later today of it.<BR><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 Green Mountain State of Mind" SM

[JohnD]

Thanks for the great advice !<P>I am also thinking of taking the byroads of Groton State Forest/Peacham area. How would this be during Columbus day weekend?<P>Is the Railroad Bed from Marshfield to Edgewater and then to Lanesboro drivable?<P>Another question is about the unpaved roads. When these roads cross rivers/brooks, do they have bridges or one has to cross through the water ??<P>Thanks as always ...

[Aleksh]

This time of year and with the drought we have had there shouldn't be a problem with roads being flooded. Downed trees may present a problem after a windstorm. in some fire or logging roads.But they are usually clesred very quickly. <P>If you're used to off roading it you shouldn't have any problem. If you're drivint a corvet or some other such low clearance vehicle you may want to re-consider the back country unpaved roads. some of them get pretty "interesting" <P>Todays Pics From the Chester area are up at <A HREF="http://www.otfi.com/foliagepics.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.otfi.com/foliagepics.htm</A> <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 Green Mountain State of Mind" SM