Green Mountain Country Turns Colors

The October landscape in the American Northeast, punctuated by exploding yellows, oranges and reds, is best experienced with a walk in the woods -- or a drive on the open road, moving fast, climbing and weaving through the rolling hills and winding roads of New England.

The Northeast Kingdom of Vermont reigns supreme over fall colors, and this year, according to the Vermont Department of Tourism, is one of the most vibrant in recent memory. Thank Mother Nature, of course -- good soil conditions brought on by a wet summer followed by a dry August and September.

Most spectacular might be the 70-mile route that cuts through the Mad River Valley in central Vermont, beginning at the state capital of Montpelier and spiraling down into the college town of Middlebury. This year, the colors have never looked so good. ...