By:Marcia Abramson
All the New England states, parts of Long Island, upstate New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have spectacular foliage displays, but I think no state can beat Vermont's in my humble opinion.
Some say that the brilliant colors of Vermont was what made Ethan Allen call it the "Green Mountain State." About 30 percent of trees in Vermont's forests are sugar maples and provide the rich reds and oranges as a base for the more subtle yellows of beech and birch, the purples of ash and the browns of oak. The pastoral vistas are extraordinary and the maple syrup and pancakes can make my day. And southwest of Long Island is Pennsylvania's Valley Forge with its own contributions to fabulous fall foliage and rich natural tapestries.
Of course, Vermont is also known for its scenic ski resorts. A visit before the snow hits the trails can be rewarding by utilizing the gondolas and ski-craft to give some awesome leafy views. Killington has a high-tech "skyship" with heated cabins which took me 2.5 miles up from the base station to its Sky Peak in the center of the resort's six mountains. There I could actually get an overview of five surrounding states and southern Canada. I also chose to ride back down rather than mountain biking or hiking my way to the ground level.
Another favorite autumn destination is Stratton which has the Starship XII, a high-speed gondola which took me toward the top of the mountain in wind-proof comfort to take in the splendor of the leaves. Further north is Stowe with its delightful "Smugglers' Notch" which my grandchildren love in every season with nearby Ben and Jerry's yummy ice creams and the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory.
The splendor of the dazzling golds, crimsons, bronzes and oranges herald the fall season in Valley Forge National Historical Park. It is no mean feat to cover the 3,600-acre Park with all the glories of nature in addition to the stately statues of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne and Baron Friedrich Von Steuben. These statues seem to be framed in a blaze of yellow leafage with Washington's Spartan gray stone headquarters radiant against a backdrop of red and gold foliage. Just about everywhere along the road I traveled were trees adorned with autumn's wealth of coloration.
Then on to world renowned artist-naturalist John James Audubon's first home in America. This lived up to all my expectations as to the beauty of the landscapes which served as inspiration for Audubon. It is located at Mill Grove, a 175-acre wildlife sanctuary along the charming banks of the Perkiomen Creek. I could not leave the area without a stop at the Peter Wentz Farmstead where General George Washington lived while planning the Battle of Germantown during the fall of 1777.
All in all, this is a marvelous time to participate in the fun of harvest events such as picking your own apples and bobbing for those crisp, juicy McIntosh apples. Cider mills welcome visitors and invite you to watch the cider being made and sample it fresh from the press. You can also select your pumpkin for a jack-o-lantern carving and go on an old-fashioned hayride and twirl your partner at a square dance hoedown. Autumn is also the time for delicious chicken pie suppers, red flannel hash and New England boiled dinners in the neighborliness and heart-warming small town traditions of yester years. You have many options for exploring the fantasy-color regions of Vermont and Pennsylvania.
You can go it alone in your own car, sign up for motor trips, take special train rides via Amtrak, set out on marked walking trails or go pedaling on roads that have only light auto trails to challenge you.
For information on Vermont you can call 1-800-Vermont or visit the web site at www.travelvermont.com. Valley Forge, Pa. has a toll free number: 1-888. Visit VF.
Copyright by Marcia Abramson
Email:mascribe@aol.com
