Kicking Through the Autumn Leaves

Fall is officially upon us, and I'm feeling pretty good about it. 

I've always loved the fall, at least the first couple of months of it. September is usually spent getting adjusted to a new season after the laziness of summer's heat, but by the time October comes around, I am ready to embrace autumn.

There's a lot to enjoy about the season, starting with the crisp air when you step outside. We get to enjoy some of the gimmicks of Halloween, such as corn mazes and haunted houses (I've never been much for candy), and celebrate on days such as my birthday and Thanksgiving. 

I'm eagerly looking forward to watching some wonderful October baseball (although it's sliding into November this year), one of the things I most strongly associate with the fall. 

But I don't always take advantage of all the Halloween hay rides, some Thanksgivings are more exciting than others, and sometimes the postseason is a huge disappointment. 

One thing that's always great? Fall foliage. 

Growing up in the Mid-Atlantic region meant that I always got to see the leaves change colors, and by the time November rolled around, I'd walk home from the bus stop while crunching as many leaves as I possibly could. I know exactly which stretches of my hometown have the best trees, and while in college, I loved driving down the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the middle of October.

However, suburban towns and highways are no match for the rest of America. New England, in particular, is supposed to be gorgeous.

For those of you who are planning to take a road trip in the next month or so, travel guides are compiling lists of places that you should see. If you're like me, you'll have to settle for the beautiful pictures. I think I'm most taken with and surprised by Michigan and Wisconsin, though several other states are home to some unexpected beauty.

See for yourselves:

From Forbes Traveler, 15 Fall Foliage Drives, and from Smarter Travel, 10 Fall Foliage Drives.

I'd like a paid vacation every fall to explore one of these locations, but until then, I suppose I'll just be appreciative for photography and the internet.