Too Early for Fall Color, What to Do?
I’ve heard this refrain in many versions for over 15 years.
Will I be Too Early or Late for fall color?
“What if I’m too early (or late) for fall color, What can we do to ensure we don’t miss the peak fall foliage?” Answer… We can’t…
The better answer to this question that no one wants to hear is this; If Mother Nature is determined to upset your plans, then there is nothing I can say or do to help you. (or me)
Here’s what you CAN do
So you made the best guess possible, and let’s face it, we’re all guessing when it comes to the fall colors. So my question is, are you an option 1 or option 2, kind of traveler?
Option 1: Cry about it and sulk. Ok, so this isn’t a great solution but I’m sure we’ve all taken this route when things didn’t go our way. But since most of you are not kids anymore, let’s try option 2
Option 2: Make other plans and have a backup plan. (we call these Plan B’s) I know you want to see the pretty fall colors but sometimes it just doesn’t go our way. So you can do what I’ve learned to do. I listen to Lisa (my wife) and go see/do something else.
Believe it or not, New England has a few more things to see or do than just fall foliage. A shortlist would encompass things like History, covered bridges, waterfalls, mountains, cows, lobster rolls, vintage diners, meeting houses, and yes, I could go on and on…
Each week I either do or don’t find great fall colors. I get out Lisa’s and my to-do list. Do you have one of these? It’s a list of things that Lisa or I make all during the year. This can be created on the fly but that is the hard way. Lisa looks at state resources, sometimes people post interesting things in our New England Facebook Group and we go, Hey! we didn’t know about that.
This past Wednesday we cleared three items off our lists (two off of mine and one of hers). You can do this as well
Now, this didn’t end our days exploring and we headed back through Danville VT to Saint Johnsbury and the… But that is for another time… 🙂
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
- Visit my Fine Art America Gallery
- Visit my Amazon store to pick up New England-related materials
- Visit my Pictorem Gallery (Free shipping in the US and Canada)
- My Facebook foliage page
- Threads.net/@Jeff_Foliage
- Follow our new Fall Foliage FB Group!
- You can visit Lisa’s Artist Facebook Page by clicking here
There’s something new every trip. We discovered this bridge by accident last trip. A really unique little bridge and so small. Thanks for sharing.
There’s something new every trip. We discovered this bridge by accident last trip. A really unique little bridge and so small. Thanks for sharing.
Was wondering what Cabot was like as heading up there to meet internet friend for the first time the week after next .You must be psychic! Sounds a nice trip to do ,especially with the fact that there’s a covered bridge and Creamery involved.Thanks for the great article.
Was wondering what Cabot was like as heading up there to meet internet friend for the first time the week after next .You must be psychic! Sounds a nice trip to do ,especially with the fact that there’s a covered bridge and Creamery involved.Thanks for the great article.
Definitely a type 2. Even without a list of alternaye activities, we live it when our path is interrupted during Fall. Glad to see y’all make goid use of your days even things don’t go as anticipated. So much to explore and do in New England, it’s half the fun! Appreciate the details you always provide in your blog!
Definitely a type 2. Even without a list of alternaye activities, we live it when our path is interrupted during Fall. Glad to see y’all make goid use of your days even things don’t go as anticipated. So much to explore and do in New England, it’s half the fun! Appreciate the details you always provide in your blog!
I am more of 0ption 2 and keep a couple of backup plans. Will still sight see and add in a brewery and winery as well…still looking forward to the trip out east!!!!! If i cant get colorful leaves I am still hopeful for cool fall temps though!
I am more of 0ption 2 and keep a couple of backup plans. Will still sight see and add in a brewery and winery as well…still looking forward to the trip out east!!!!! If i cant get colorful leaves I am still hopeful for cool fall temps though!
I wish I had known about this Covered Bridge and the schoolhouse. I was in Cabot last month.
I wish I had known about this Covered Bridge and the schoolhouse. I was in Cabot last month.
Hello Jeff…. We are coming on Thursday evening and will stay till 2nd October. Coming Thursday is going to be cooler. Does it immediate make effect on leaves or it takes few days for leaves to turn colors ? I am just wishing, if I could take few photographs before I fly out on 2nd Oct.
I’m hoping that by the weekend we’ll start to see some new reports but there is some ground to be made up for two plus weeks of summer weather.
I’m hoping that before you go you get to see some nice color. Lisa just saw some nice color along I-89 at whaleback mtn ski area so look at higher elevation for the color to pick up.
Hello Jeff…. We are coming on Thursday evening and will stay till 2nd October. Coming Thursday is going to be cooler. Does it immediate make effect on leaves or it takes few days for leaves to turn colors ? I am just wishing, if I could take few photographs before I fly out on 2nd Oct.
I’m hoping that by the weekend we’ll start to see some new reports but there is some ground to be made up for two plus weeks of summer weather.
I’m hoping that before you go you get to see some nice color. Lisa just saw some nice color along I-89 at whaleback mtn ski area so look at higher elevation for the color to pick up.
Are you going to give another visit to area ? If before 9/29, I will be waiting for your report.
Well I’m going up this morning and should have out my report tomorrow
Are you going to give another visit to area ? If before 9/29, I will be waiting for your report.
Well I’m going up this morning and should have out my report tomorrow
Drove the “kanc” today, foliage is turning, will be beautiful next week, then drove to NEK, Willoughby lake, long pond,Newport,very disappointing foliage,
lots of mute trees, no reds at all,barely no color,..Let’s hope this is too early, but this is not looking good wright now.
Thanks Yann, that is what I noticed on Wednesday and Thursday when I came through. I think it will get better this weekend in the next week.
Drove the “kanc” today, foliage is turning, will be beautiful next week, then drove to NEK, Willoughby lake, long pond,Newport,very disappointing foliage,
lots of mute trees, no reds at all,barely no color,..Let’s hope this is too early, but this is not looking good wright now.
Thanks Yann, that is what I noticed on Wednesday and Thursday when I came through. I think it will get better this weekend in the next week.
Hi Jeff, I love reading your blog! Thanks for all the great info. I’m going to be in the Berkshires early next week (10/9-10/11). I go every year for leaf peeping, but I usually go a little later. Going later has caused me to be after “peak” so this year I planned earlier. I’m afraid with all this warm weather that I will now be before peak this year! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
There are lots of issues from the record temps to Gypsy moths and leaf drop early. It’s making it tough in Massachusetts. Visit Stockbridge and drive down the little lanes, visit Yankee Candle and old deerfield. I can’t promise anything but there are beautiful barns and farms out there and along the Connecticut river I found a farmstand that sold maple creamies. (maple soft serve icecream…) heaven in my book…
Hi Jeff, I love reading your blog! Thanks for all the great info. I’m going to be in the Berkshires early next week (10/9-10/11). I go every year for leaf peeping, but I usually go a little later. Going later has caused me to be after “peak” so this year I planned earlier. I’m afraid with all this warm weather that I will now be before peak this year! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
There are lots of issues from the record temps to Gypsy moths and leaf drop early. It’s making it tough in Massachusetts. Visit Stockbridge and drive down the little lanes, visit Yankee Candle and old deerfield. I can’t promise anything but there are beautiful barns and farms out there and along the Connecticut river I found a farmstand that sold maple creamies. (maple soft serve icecream…) heaven in my book…