Rest Area with a View
Rest stop for foliage viewing
Somewhere between New Hampshire and Vermont on Interstate Highway 89, you’ll find the Springfield rest stop. Actually, it’s mile marker 39.4 on the Northbound side between the exit for George’s Mills (before) and NH-10 (after).
Most rest stops that I’ve visited are usually surrounded by trees and rarely have scenic views. Below this rest area and in the distance is Stocker Pond in Grantham NH.
If you’re traveling northbound on I- 89 in New Hampshire in early to mid-October, make sure you stop at Georges Mills.
This rest stop is cut into the side of a hill as the highway passes below it and as you look out the big glass windows that look to the West you can see a large pond over in the valley with the surrounding hills towering over it. If you want to make a stop out of this, you go into the building and through the double doors to the other side where you will find picnic tables and charcoal grills.
I made my first stop at the Springfield rest area on October 8th, 2003. This was my first year where I got to explore all on my own. I had gotten up that morning and I just got in my truck with my camera gear and struck out for Vermont. [Not the way I would do it today!]
I wanted to make good time so I drove up Route 93 to just South of Concord where I picked up Route 89 and traveled on it for approximately 38 miles. At this point, I felt the need for a rest stop with all the coffee I was drinking and here was Springfield. 🙂 (mile marker 38 aprox)
The rest of that day I tooled around White River Junction and Quechee Gorge and then down to Springfield Vermont… but those are stories for another day.
I stop at this rest stop almost every trip on 89, but catching it in October is always a treat for the eyes. Somewhere between eight and 20 October is the best time for fall color on the surrounding hills. Below are some images from over the years.
There are only a few that I have found that provide good views. Most are surrounded by trees and with out a drone to get above the trees you don’t have a scenic view. Here is another on that you will also find on I-89. This one is just past Sharon Vermont, also on the northbound side.
This view is best from the far end of the parking lot and I may try it with a drone because I had to raise the camera above my head to get a good view and missing the bushes in front of me. But this view across the hichway of the other side is one of the best that I’ve found.
If you have a rest area view that I have missed and you think I should go and check out this autumn, leave a comment and give me directions and I’ll go check out your rest area with a view.
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
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Thanks for sharing these photos. I makes me wish our next season was a double-dose of Fall. Nothing beats a New England Fall.
As you may guess I’ve got a view more to share… I’ll keep my fingers crossed on that double dose of fall.. We deserve it after the last one.
If you aren’t in new england be sure to stop in on http://www.Jeff-foliage.com to get my WAG (wild a$$ guess) on what we’ll get this fall.
Sounds and looks great Will check it out this Fall