Driving through the back roads of New York I started to get anxious.  The leaves were just beginning to turn in the New England states, but even so, they were in small patches here and there.  Nothing to really write home about….yet. I had been bragging about Autumn in the Adirondacks for years.

We were on our way to the Adirondack Mountains – a region that I grew up in, a region that I put on a pedestal as the epitome of fall foliage.  Together, Matt and I, had visited multiple countries during the fall season: Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Fiji, Mexico….and while all were beautiful, I found myself saying the same thing, “It’s not Autumn in the Adirondacks.”  He would always shake his head and pay little mind to my rambling of this place I was so fond of.  It got to the point that I began to wonder if the Adirondack Mountains of New York were as profound as I remembered, or was it just something I believed to be grand and spectacular as a child.

This summer had been hot.  There was little to no rain in the North East, and the predictions for fall color were grim.

However, as we approached the shores of Lake Champlain the trees started showing their fall foliage.  Their salute to a changing time in which they will let go of all things old in order to make way for new growth in Spring.

As we drove further into the park a kaleidoscope of color greeted us.  And I was right, the Adirondacks were every bit as dazzling as I remember.  Golden citrus, butterscotch and marigold, scattered by hues of tangerine, and amber, with brilliant bursts of  crimson, and scarlet.  Matt, who rarely comments on anything, said multiple times throughout the weekend how beautiful it was.

It was a picture perfect weekend, even with rain always on the horizon.  We stayed in Lake Placid, home to TWO Winter Olympics!  We explored the Jay, Saranac Lake, and Keene Valley areas. The dogs romped around on multiple trails with us (Adicous loves the cooler weather) and we had them completely worn out – which doesn’t happen often!  The trail with the best views however was Cobble Hill, once you reach summit you are surrounded by all the beauty that mountain range has to offer!

I’m so happy to be back in the North East again…..but ask me how I feel in February…..

XO, Shannon