Fall foliage, its tapestry of reds, oranges, yellows and greens, is a = favorite for tourists and residents alike. And while many flock to our = scenic=20 byways to see spectacular color, others traverse less well known = routes.
It's always interesting to try new and different foliage routes. In = addition=20 to their beauty, they will each have a different story, diverse history, = lots of=20 gift and antique shops, restaurants, vegetable and farm stands, rolling = hills=20 and winding country roads.
"The rain that soaked Maine during the first half of the summer was = good for=20 something. Leaf-bearing trees throughout the state benefited from the = wet=20 weather, and are now healthy and primed for their annual color = change,"
Temperature, light, and water supply affect the degree and duration = of fall=20 color.
That should portend very well for foliage in mid-Maine. And while = it's hard=20 to plan for when color will be at its peak, there's lots of places to = find that=20 information =96 including local media and the Maine's official fall = foliage Web=20 site: www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/.
A not so well known foliage ride involves taking Route 27 out of = Wiscasset=20 into Augusta. Travelers could take in some of the coastal community's=20 attractions, including the Harris Farm, majestic old homes, antique = shops and=20 restaurants, or just keep meandering up Route 27 and to see the foliage = lining=20 the Kennebec River in the capital city area. In Hallowell, stop by the = antique=20 shops or stop for a bite to eat. Walk around the town. It has a special = feel and=20 one that is more special during foliage season.
From the clock in Hallowell, turn away from the river onto Central = Street and=20 proceed about three miles, following the blue and white signs to Maple = Hill Farm=20 Bed and Breakfast on the Inn Road, off the Outlet Road. The views from = there are=20 spectacular, featuring vintage farms and huge sugar maple trees.
Follow the signs to return to Winthrop Street and turn left heading = towards=20 Route 202. This route will introduce you to scenes that are way off the = beaten=20 path. Winthrop Street will turn into Granite Hill Road. Take a left onto = Route=20 202 towards Monmouth/Lewiston. Keep watch for the signs for Route 17. = Take the=20 right on Route 17 towards Readfield.
Continue on Route 17 towards Kents Hill School, a college preparatory = school=20 that its Web site describes as located on a beautiful 400-acre campus in = Maine,=20 surrounded by lakes, forest and farmland, and near the mountains to the = north=20 and the ocean to the east.
Just by nature of being a school campus, the buildings and grounds = create a=20 spectacular sight. People coming and going amongst dropped leaves. = Bright=20 yellows and oranges surround majestic buildings. Check to see if the = nearby=20 Kents Hill Apple Orchard is still open because fall and apples are=20 synonymous.
As you continue north on Route 17 through Fayette to Livermore Falls, = you'll=20 find some of Maine's finest foliage =96 trees behind stone walls, the = sun=20 shimmering through the foliage in late afternoon, old farms with cows, = horses,=20 goats and other animals in the forefront of the color, and much, more. = These=20 scenes reflect the Yankee character in which New England, and especially = Maine=20 are famous.
Look for some interesting gift shops or farm stands. Or take some = time out of=20 the car, and rustle through the leaves. And of course, stop to take some = pictures to remind you of the beauty that we all can enjoy this time of=20 year.
Once you arrive in Livermore Falls, take Route 133 north, and proceed = through=20 some rolling hills and open fields to Farmington. Since foliage is = dependent on=20 times and zones by making this trip, you may have the benefit of seeing = early,=20 peak and a little beyond peak foliage.
BJ Bangs is a freelance writer who writes about places to go and see = that are=20 off the beaten path. She can be reached at:
bjbangs@yahoo.com