It is fall in Vermont. As a flatlander from Illinois, this week in Vermont has been greatly anticipated for a couple of years. Sure, we have leaves that change colors but this is where it is really happening!
The dreams were slightly quashed when a day or two before we were to leave Weather.com said that six out of seven days would be rain. We were disappointed and made the usual statements of “It will be good to get away no matter what the weather.” We figured there was a lot to see otherwise such as Ben and Jerry's Ice Crème and a possible trip to Montreal.
We arrived in the dark and expected it to be raining the next morning. It was cloudy but so very calm. It had rained in the night and fog covered the ground like a fluffy comforter. So, I sat on our deck and watched the day wake up. There are traffic sounds periodically and a bright red tree nearby. The air is clean and fresh.
Then it happens. The fog starts to move away. As it pulls back, first a multicolored valley appears. There are the muted dark reds that are almost rust and softer reds that are about two steps darker from being a pink. Gold and yellow leaves are dispersed in the mixture as well. All these leaves are surrounded by the usual green which serves as the perfect backdrop to highlight the others.
The best is the bright red. Think of the bright red lipstick that one periodically sees and then go a step or two brighter. It is unbelievable. It just glows out there. All this glorious color is revealed as the fog rolls back. Just as one spot is seen and enjoyed, the fog reveals more and more of the same.
As a lover of movies, I think of one of the final scenes of “National Treasure.” “They reach the treasure room and are unbelievably amazed as they find historical items that are priceless. Our hero then ignites a channel of oil that lights up the true extent of the treasure as the expanse of the room filled with the treasure become apparent.
So my first day in Vermont in late September is fantastic. We are so glad we were able to see this and recommend the trip to others. It is not cheap to spend a week here and the weather can be disappointing. However, the opportunity to see so many hills, valleys and streams lined with bright natural colors is well worth it.
