Columbus Day weekend in Vermont is the big touristy leaf peeping vacation. "Southerners" travel up to drive slowly through the maze of country back roads to view the artistry of leaves turning-- Normally, in a good year, the sugar maples are blazing scarlet. This year-- again as Susan mentioned - there is more yellow than any other color on the palette-- add to that, a persistently drizzling sky dampening the brilliance... still beautiful though.
Zoe and I had a route mapped out in our heads for Saturday- which involved being transported to the end of Wymans Falls Road (where we searched for the falls last big trip). It was - in addition to leaf peeper day, also the first day of hunting .. bow season. From now on- all fall-- there will be some kind of hunting season... each one featuring a different weapon. What a way to ruin good riding weather ! Anyway, we were traveling on all posted land- so we weren't too worried.
This trek turned out to be the longest journey, covering the most locations, that we have trotted to date. The weather of the day was not perfect conditions- but nothing was going to come in the way of our intended ride out.
Here's what we saw for the day's start. It did not veer from that much. And as I mentioned on my farm blog- we tried to clothe ourselves appropriately- but we trotted briskly in more ways than one.
Here's what we saw for the day's start. It did not veer from that much. And as I mentioned on my farm blog- we tried to clothe ourselves appropriately- but we trotted briskly in more ways than one.
Wymans Falls Road is a typical dirt back road - very shady, following the brook. It "dead-ends" into a trail and then turns back into a road as it comes down the other side of the mountain in Cavendish.
Since we saved all that travel time- arriving by horse taxi.. we had more time for exploration. We trotted down nearly every trail, left and right, to see where it went -- this way we can make up new plans for trips.
Passed several old cellar holes- evidence of long ago homes and cabins along the route. After I have ridden a route- I like to get on-line and read more of the history of the area we've just traversed.. kind of fun.
Eventually, the trail brought us out into fields and pastures-- This is where we get the chance to really view the color...
If the sun had been out- this would have been a dazzling sight. Still pretty for a bad leaf year.
We look back from where we came- You don't notice the color when you are in the midst of it.
Another touristy photo.
Pasture path turns into the
traditional maple lined Vermont country lane.
traditional maple lined Vermont country lane.
The valley between these two mountains is where we are headed - called 'The Gulf" by locals.
There are many more photo's on the farm blog.
Much to see, all new territory for me and lots of descriptions of sights and places.
It's getting chilly- and we try like turtles to get down into our jackets more. I take turns holding the reins with one hand, while the other is in my pocket warming. We briefly discuss cutting the trip short-- but -- in the end.. we added a long side trip.
It's getting chilly- and we try like turtles to get down into our jackets more. I take turns holding the reins with one hand, while the other is in my pocket warming. We briefly discuss cutting the trip short-- but -- in the end.. we added a long side trip.
Trotting down this side hill lane out onto Route 103- we cross over onto Cavendish Road which will bring us into the Baltimore section of Chester, by way of Dean Brook Road - all back country dirt roads parallelling beautiful brooks and old farm land. Once we reached the end of Dean Brook Road- Zoe and I conferenced again- and decided... since our climb to the top of Hawk's Mountain earlier this year, we did say we wanted to return in the fall. Here we are- just around the corner (sort of) from the entrance to the mountain trail. So off we canter off and up the steep Hawk's Mountain trail- 
The white buildings in the bottom right corner is where we'll be headed next. We will trot by those on the way home.
That might be New Hampshire over there but I am not too sure of my compass directions.
You can see rain on my camera lens. This was intermittent throughout the trip.
Looking at our watches - we really need to jet home now. You'll read about my adventuresome tricks on the trek down the mountain trail on the farm blog :)
Wouldn't you know it-- here's the sun only 2 miles from home... and here we searched for it all day !
This was a fabulous trip - and we have learned so many new routes and passages for more adventure.. can't wait !!
Enjoy ~
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Is what I have to say about the photos you posted. I am in awe of the Hawk' Mtn view. All your colors were spectacular, even though the sun evaded you until the end of the ride. Sometimes, the muted soft colors of a rainy day ride are just as beautiful as the bright sharp sunny-day colors. I, too, love coming the old cellar holes in the woods. They are like hidden treasure. Sometimes you find lilacs or old apple trees nearby.
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