Am fallin' for autumn leaves

I still can’t get over the amazing colors of fall from the places I have just been to: Vancouver, Richmond (Canada), Seattle and Los Angeles (US). The vividness of the foliage is still very much in my memory, so that I vowed to visit for another autumn kaleidoscope. 

Here is a rundown from Delta’s Sky Magazine about the Top Ten Fall Foliage that I want to share with you, in case you want top experience the glory of autumn for yourself, one day. Take your pick:

“1. VERMONT. A favorite choice of leaf peepers everywhere, scenic Route 100 winds             through the picturesque Green Mountains. The area’s maple trees peak in early October,     boasting vibrant oranges and reds. vermontvacation.com   

2. MASSACHUSETTS. Observe the fiery colors of fall along the Mohawk Trail through the Berkshire Mountains during the first two weeks of October. At Mount Greylock, climb the Veterans War Memorial Tower for awe-inspiring views of the four states’ foliage. Massvacation.com

3. LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE. Grab a baguette and a bottle of local wine for a picnic along the winding Loire River in central France and soak in the fall colors that rival New England’s finest. loirevalleytourism.com

4. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA. The coastal climate of this northeastern island makes for one of the longest foliage-viewing periods in North America. Hike along one of the island’s unpaved heritage roads for a peek at the beautiful untouched landscape. Tourismpei.com

5. OREGON. Just east of Eugene, take the hour-and-a-half drive through the McKenzie River Valley to the crest of the Cascade Mountains. The area’s lava fields provide a unique element to offset the hues of Oregon’s lush landscape. traveloregon.com

6. PENNSYLVANIA. The Poconos offer great opportunities to see autumn’s vivid colors. Spend a day hiking through 260+ miles of trails, stopping at Bushkill Falls, called the Niagara of Pennsylvania. visitbushkillfalls.com

7. JAPAN. The star of Kouyou (meaning, autumn) is the Japanese maple tree, which turns a vibrant red starting in late November. Tokyo city parks and local temples are ablaze in reds, oranges and yellows, providing picturesque spots to soak in the shades of fall. tokyojapanguide.com

8. NEW YORK. On Saturdays and Sundays in autumn, take a four-hour cruise up the Hudson River to experience the beautiful fall foliage throughout the Hudson Valley. nywaterway.com

9. CALIFORNIA. The leaves of Sonoma County start changing mid-October and continue into late November, when the countryside and vineyards are awash in oranges, golds and reds. It is also wine harvest season; a perfect time to stop at local wineries.   sonoma.com

10. MICHIGAN. With 7 million acres of forests, the Upper Peninsula is ablaze from late September into October. If hiking is your thing, tackle the trails of Porcupine Mountains, situated along 20 miles of the Lake Superior shore. michigan.org”

Just going down the list brought back vibrant recollections of the autumn leaves I left behind just a week ago…reds, yellows, oranges, gold! Ah, being alive in the midst of fall! One of the best times to celebrate life, as deciduous trees shed their colorful cloaks to remind us of the passing of the season.

Travel safely now.