Its not too late and you still have an opportunity to enjoy fall foliage. The loss of daylight savings time is usually the indicator that winter waits at the doorstep. Fall is best described as that restful state after the activity of summer and before hibernation. After a summer of activity, with all the hustle and bustle of vacations and barbeques, ending in the dog days and chaos of school. We finally get to exhale and enjoy life before it gets hectic again for the holidays.
During this serene time, a drive out into the country is as simple and as refreshing as it can get. If you add music of choice playing low in the background and perhaps a loved one, and it can seem virtually like a vacation. If you haven’t been able to get out and enjoy the change of seasons, there is still time despite much of the US being past peak. As a driver, perhaps you can get off the interstates and hit some of the lesser traveled highways to enjoy the foliage before the whiteknuckle season starts.
Enjoy Fall Foliage in Ohio River Valley and East
Most of the Midwest seems to be hitting peak season, although in Nebraska I am not quite sure we are past the peak. From Arkansas to Michigan and as far to the southeast from there to Virginia enters its peak. The Southeast is patchy while much of the Northwestern part of the Midwest is mostly at or past peak. Even past peak, the sites are still beautiful although the weather pattern this fall has been very hot with intermittent blasts of cold. The lack of moisture in parts of the midwest may have a little to do with being past peak as well. Time lapse photos indicate that some areas are beginning to go past peak foliage but is still colorful.
Rocky Mountains, Cascades and West
Elevation and a deep cold spell resulted in the Rocky Mountains to the Cascades being out of peak season to enjoy fall foliage. However, because it is still a possibility to catch various spots from along the international corridor from Mexico to Canada along the Rockies and Cascades, deciduous trees make for intermittent joy as snow becomes the norm at higher elevations.
If you get a chance to roam California from the northern border with Oregon to the south and Big Bear areas you should find spotty but pre-peak and beginning to peak areas. The National Park Service suggests late October to visit Yosemite , but webcams indicate that you still have some time. Either way we hope you get an opportunity to travel while its still not too cold and enjoy fall foliage.