WELCOME LEAF PEEPERS

"WELCOME LEAF PEEPERS" … A hotel marquee in Maine posts these inviting words for those of us who love autumn and want to enjoy this gem of a season.  The landscape is rich in dazzling jewel-tone colored leaves … ruby reds, topaz yellows, citrine peaches… all nestled among the emerald greens of the pine trees.  Display this jewel-like setting against a backdrop of clear aquamarine blue skies and you are looking at Mother Nature’s crowning glory.   

Every year, we travel somewhere to experience the autumn season and enjoy nature.  In Alaska, Colorado, and Wyoming, the wind whispers through the aspen trees making the delicate-shaped yellow leaves shimmer like gold coins.  In the east and mid-west, the maple trees pop with harvest colors like a beautiful patchwork quilt.  

Alaska's Awesome Autumns

 Maroon Bells in Colorado

Trail to Periodic Spring (Afton, WY)

We live in Michigan where the fall color season peaks over a period of weeks (from mid-September to the end of October).  During this time, we spend every weekend driving the roads and leaf peeping.  By mid-September, the fall colors begin peaking in the Upper Peninsula.  With each passing week, the fall colors progress in stages a little further south until late October.  Keep in mind that weather and other conditions can affect this time frame for prime color viewing.  A heavy rain or windy conditions can literally wipe out the fall color season.

Exploring Michigan's back roads

Interested in discovering your inner leaf-peeper?  Here are some suggested links to get started:

For fall color trip idea in Colorado, click on the following link:
Colorado Autumn Drives

For a fall color map and suggesting driving tours in Michigan, click on the following link:
Michigan Autumn Drives

Click on the following link to discover foliage drives and maps for New England:
New England Fall Color Tours & More