Slowing Down the Speed Limit

Columbus Day weekend is primetime for leaf-peepers. Drive slow, enjoy the foliage and the many wonderful colors dabbled along the countryside. Instead of hitting the main routes, wander off the beaten path and hope to get lost. You may find some hidden jewels; the type of places that you see on Chronicle or read about in Yankee Magazine. My parents would hop in the car and four hours later end up in Albany, NY eating an ice cream cone. They loved to hit the back roads and be pleasantly surprised.

You will be amazed at how many small-run nurseries, farm-stands and orchards you’ll find along the way. Pack a picnic, but not too much in case you end up in a place like Temple, NH where there is an English tavern (authentic – the real deal) in the center of town. There is an abundance of quintessential New England small hamlets like Temple waiting to be discovered.

Travel with no destination and open your eyes to the wonder of nature’s creation. There is nothing more beautiful in New England than our fall foliage. The inspirational gardening thought for the weekend is by M.K. Gandhi. “There is more to life than increasing its speed.”