Leaf Peepers. Every October they come to Vermont, regular as Spring Peepers in May.
Spring Peepers are anxious, romantically inclined frogs who fill the air with lusty song during a short and frenzied mating season.
Leaf Peepers are anxious, romantically inclined people who fill the roads with traffic during a short and frenzied Vermont vacation.
Both Spring and Fall Peepers are acting on good instincts. The frogs are just a little better at following through most of the time.
Drive Less, Walk More
I’ve been driving in Vermont since I was 15 years old, and I haven’t seen the whole state yet. There’s no reason why you should try to see everything in a long weekend. Instead, drive to get where you’re going, then unpack your bags and relax.
Once you’ve settled in, take walks around town and through the countryside. There’s nothing finer than a brisk walk on a clear October day. Feel the crisp, clean air in your lungs and notice the details – ripe red apples at the roadside, chipmunks scampering through a maple grove.
No one has ever taken a good photo out the window of a moving car.
Visit A Farm
No doubt all that walking has given you an appetite. Well, you came to the right place.
Vermont’s farmers produce some of the best vegetables, cheese, milk, fruit, bread and meat in the country. Most Vermont farms are small, family owned, community supported and organic – and many welcome visitors! Ask your host to direct you to a local farm and see where your food originates.
I especially recommend a visit to a farm that produces cheese. Vermont’s cheeses are internationally renowned, and there’s really nothing better than sampling creamy brie, sharp cheddar and aromatic blue while cows, sheep and goats munch grass in the pasture next door.
Go Hunting
Don’t worry! You don’t have to kill anything. Fall is hunting season in Vermont, and for a truly memorable experience, you need to act like a hunter.
Find a quiet place at the edge of a field about an hour before dusk, sit down on a log and make yourself comfortable. Stay very still and quiet. Before long, the light will begin to glow, purple shadows will fall across the field and you’ll hear a whisper of wind in the treetops.
This is the magic time when animals start to move, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a deer – or maybe even a moose! When the first star begins to glimmer, it’s time to get up, stretch your legs and go home to a hearty meal and cheerful fire.
If you really want to feel the magic local hunters know, wake up before dawn, dress extra warm and watch the day begin from the edge of a field. Any day you wake up for the sunrise is automatically entered as a candidate for “Most Memorable Day Of The Year”.
Find Water
Whether you choose to stroll along the Burlington waterfront and gaze at the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain, trek to a secluded little trout pond or just meander along a mossy brook, spending time in the company of water will refresh your spirit and relax your body.
Plus, the foliage is twice as beautiful reflected in a the smooth surface of a lake.
Participate In A Local Sporting Event
Vermonters live in small, tight-knit communities. We support local school teams and organize informal games after work and on the weekends. Problem is, there often aren’t enough players to field a full team or spectators to cheer from the sidelines – so strangers are always welcome!
Ask your host about local sporting events. From golf to soccer and yoga to basketball there’s usually something scheduled. Go ahead and join in! You’ll have fun, meet locals, get some exercise and enjoy a real taste of Vermont life. If running around on a field doesn’t appeal, chat with the folks on the sidelines.
Believe me, people will be thrilled to welcome you.
Drink At Least One Hot Drink In Front Of A Fire
There’s nothing quite like sinking back into an overstuffed chair in front of a crackling fire at the end of a long day. Add a hot mug of tea or chocolate and create instant bliss.
A good crackling fire will sooth and comfort and put your mind at ease. Trust me, you won’t miss your TV.
Two Words: Maple Syrup
A friend once came to me for relationship advice:
“I really like this guy,” she said. “He’s cute, easy-going and my parents love him. There’s just one problem…”
“What’s that?”
“He prefers Aunt Jemima to real maple syrup.”
I told her to dump the jackass.
Leaving Already? But You Only Just Got Here!
Finally, my most important advice: Stay for an extra day – or week!
Stick around and enjoy the peaceful rhythms of the season. There’s no good reason to leave…at least until the first snowstorm!
Timothy C. Patterson - I'm a traveler and a writer who splits time between Vermont and Southeast Asia.
