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(Mellow Wanderer) Countdown to the end of summer has football and fall foliage just around the bend. Dust off the beach sand between your toes, take out the hiking shoes, and get ready for vibrant splashes of dangling red, orange and gold leaves.
Autumn is a special season in many places where the thermometer slowly heads south and leaves change before trees go bare for winter hibernation. The metamorphosis causes one of the greatest shows on Earth, particularly along many of America’s rolling scenic highways and mountain regions.
Fall seasonal travel is a thriving industry of its own. Mountain resorts, cruise lines, and tour operators gear-up for an influx of sweater wearing, apple cider sipping vacationers. Autumn weather can make or break the economy of a state. Take Vermont, a popular fall destination. Vermont’s tourism department expects 3.5 million visitors every fall, ready to spend around $330 million. 
North Carolina is also a big player. A few years ago Dr. Andrew Bellemer, a biologist at Appalachian State, a true autumn leaf geek, dug in and did some research of his own. What he discovered is states in the eastern corridor of maximum autumn color rack in around $30 billion in fall tourism.
Booking your trip early is key to enjoying leaf peeping season, a term of endearment among fall fanatics. Hotels and resorts can fill to capacity from mid-September to mid-November.
The moment of peak color is a bit tricky. Weather certainly has an impact. Talking to locals from the area you’re targeting could provide insight. There’s also a cool everything-you-always-wanted-to-know about-autumn-leaves-and-where-they’re-popping website called Foliage Network.
Happy leaf peeping!
