Leaf peeping road trips
Visiting the fall foliage is a rich experience for any traveler. RVers have the added bonus that we can camp amidst the color. Many of the spectacular drives are in national forest lands with primitive campgrounds sprinkled throughout the area.
One of my favorite New England drives is on the Kancamagus Highway, located in the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire. We were there seven years ago, and I still see the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows in my mind. I remember the silence of the campground and the joy of stepping out of the trailer in the cool freshness of the morning, sitting down in my chair, filling my eyes with the beauty of the leaves, smelling the dirt mingled with the fallen leaves, and slowly drinking my coffee as I let myself drift into the color surrounding me.
Fall foliage is not limited to New England. The outbursts of color can be found in many states. The red may be missing in some areas, but the gold and orange hues are most acceptable. One fall, we visited writing partner Jaimie Hall, whose husband was working in Rocky Mountain National Park that season. We went four-wheeling along the Cache la Poudre River, located in the Roosevelt National Forest, not far from Fort Collins, CO. Our timing was perfect. The aspens had just changed color. They seemed to shimmer their golden greeting to us as we drove by.
Willie and Doug, both full-time RVers, love the Canyonlands area of Utah during the fall. "The cottonwoods line the dry riverbeds, and when they turn bright yellow, they look like rivers of gold running through the wide open spaces." They have also been in Illinois in the fall when the weather was totally gloomy. "Through the gray and rain, the bright orange trees were quite astonishing," they say. "They looked like fire." Doug and Willie have also spent many fall seasons in Colorado. "The aspens turn bright gold and look wonderful on the mountainsides. We have been on hikes where we were surrounded by the white bark, gold leaves, and bright blue sky."
RV full-timer Patsy Cook is biased in favor of the foliage in the Midwest. She says, "I was not impressed with Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire because I have seen what Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have to offer. Of course," she confesses, "I was born in Michigan, and you do have to go north of Ludington on Lake Michigan and Bay City on Lake Huron." Patsy has also been amazed by the colors of the fall foliage in Tennessee and Kentucky, particularly on Interstate 75, which runs through both states.
HOW TO FIND THE FOLIAGE "BLOOM" IN YOUR REGION
The Web is an incredible resource for information about the reasons for the colors, the location of the foliage, the types of trees involved, the estimated duration of the most intense color, maps, telephone numbers, places to stay or camp, and so on. Your biggest problem may be extricating yourself from the computer to get out there before the first snowfall.
Here are some excellent sites to get you started. Most will list by state, by national forest, by state park, by region.
Intellicast Weather Foliage Map Foliage Info from the U.S. Forest Service Telephone the Fall Color Network for information about all states: 1-800-354-4595
POPULAR LEAF PEEPING DRIVES IN THE U.S.
Arizona: Coconino National Forest
California: Inyo National Forest
Colorado: Gunnison National Forest
Missouri: Mark Twain National Forest
New Hampshire: White Mountai National Forest
North Carolina: Pisgah National Forest
Oregon: Willamette National Forest
Pennsylvania: Allegheny National Forest
Vermont: Green Mountain National Forest
Wisconsin: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
In Maine, Acadia National Park's famed 27-mile Park Loop Road is one of the most spectacular places to see the autumnal leaf extravaganza on the east coast. This drive, completed in 1953, "remains of the most stunning drives in America" according to Jaimes Kaiser, author of the definitive work, Acadia: The Complete Guide.
WHAT CREATES THE COLOR?
The pigment is there all the time but is hidden by the chlorophyll that makes the leaves green. As the weather changes, chlorophyll production stops, and the other colors are unmasked. Best weather conditions for the color are days that are bright and cool and nights that are chilly but not freezing. Adequate rainfall maintains the leaves on the trees.
Most striking reds are found on sugar and red maples, northern red oak, sumac, mountain ash, and tupelo. Yellow is found on birches, white ash, linden, maples, beech, aspens, and hickories. The season can last through November, depending on weather conditions and location.
DON'T FORGET YOUR OWN BACKYARD!
Particularly with fuel prices as high as they are, make a special effort this year to find the beautiful foliage near you. Check out all the Web sites above. Look at your map to locate the forested areas in your local national forest lands as well as your state and county parks. I had always wanted to go to New England in the fall. However, I learned my lesson after I had finally visited New England and was enthralled with the rich reds, oranges, and yellows. I described the experience to my stay-at-home-you-won't-catch-me-in-an-RV-ever(!) old friend, who lives outside of Columbus, Ohio. She said, "You know, Alice, I just walk out my back door and look at the old maple tree as it turns to a rich red color, and I have the fall foliage I dreamed about when we were growing up in the tenements of New York City."
TIPS FOR TAKING BETTER FALL FOLIAGE PHOTOS
The beauty can last for years with good photos. RVers Gerry and Myrna Courtney have written and photo-illustrated more than 300 articles in the last twenty-five years. Some of Myrna's photos of Maine and New Hampshire accompany this column.
Here are Gerry's tips for foliage photos:
- Foliage pictures are more brilliant and dramatic when taken in early morning or late afternoon light, when the glow comes through the leaves.
- Avoid mid-day sun, which washes out the color.
- Look for foliage near water and include the reflection, avoiding overhead light.
- A dirt road with a canopy of foliage overhead is emphasized with something in the foreground, such as a fence, or stone wall or shrub to show the depth. This is true for long shots, also, such as several distant mountain ranges.
- For close-ups, try some leaves after a rain storm when they are dripping with raindrops. Fill the frame with just one or two leaves, getting as close as possible while staying in focus. Use a long exposure to take a stream with leaves floating near smooth rocks for texture contrast.
Fulltimer Barry Kessler was a professional photojournalist for thirty-five years before hitting the road. He continues to document the beauty of our country as he and his wife travel. Visit his Web site to view some stunning photographs of flowers and locations throughout the USA. His two photos that accompany this column were taken in Michigan in the fall.
Here are Barry's tips:
- When you see a subject you'd like to photograph, stop and think about what you want the picture to convey.
- So many people just aim and shoot, where if you'd focus on a particular tree or rock, your pictures will be more composed.
- I try to "frame" all my shots, keeping the subject in the middle.
- Every picture you take is a learning process. If it turns out too dark, you'll know to open the iris a little more. Every bad picture makes the next one better.
- Be patient with yourself!
Happy Trails, wherever you go!