Almost as soon as the colors peaked in the maples it seemed they were starting to fade. We needed to get out and about to enjoy the colors while they lasted. We started with a tour of the Champlain Valley and the islands of Lake Champlain. As we headed out over Jay Peak the trees at the summit were starting to look like sticks, but as we dropped in elevation toward the valley it seemed like fall was just getting started.
While out exploring we ran across Vermont’s oldest structure, the Hyde Log Cabin built in 1783. I’m sure it’s had lots of restoration over time, but it looked good for a 239 year old.
We were also able to get up to the northeastern corner of Vermont on another day out and about. When you look at a map of the state, it’s the part with almost nothing on it. That was all we needed to decide it was worth a day of exploring. We found quiet streams and hillsides of trees, with almost no one out and about. There was still some color to be found, but those bursting golds in the higher country seemed gone for the year.
We popped out of the woods on the Connecticut River and looped back home.
The forecast was for wind and lots of rain. Not good ingredients to have the leaves linger on the trees. As slow as it was to ease from green to gold, once the leaves changed they were going quick. Our fall colors here in northeast Vermont seemed to be slipping away. We headed out in the morning to take a walk and try to soak it all in.
Once again we found a place all to ourselves. It’s nice to be able to take a hike without getting a permit six months in advance, and really nice to not see another person while out.
He hiked up past beaver ponds to three lakes, wind picking up and blowing the leaves from the trees.
There were still green leaves on the trees, this would not be the last day of good fall colors for us. But we started to think about heading south with the colors for our next outing. We’d yet to visit Vermont’s only National Forest, and it was past time to get out camping. It would be next on the list.
The Northeast Kingdom, that top part is called. The history being at one time it was not US nor French nor English. It was a Kingdom all its own. The State’s unofficial slogan: “Vermont. It’s not flat”
I agree. It was so flat driving here – from eastern Wyoming on, that Vermont topography was a welcome ‘relief’, but wow the trails…definitely not flat!