Hudson Valley's burst of foliage is unsurpassed

Hudson Valley's burst of foliage is unsurpassed

FOLIAGE SPOTS
Here's a listing of some of the better spots to view nature's bursts of color:
In Dutchess County:
The Taconic State Parkway, especially in southern Dutchess around the I-84 interchange, and north of the Route 55 interchange.
Route 44 in eastern Dutchess County, especially coming down the large hill that winds down into Amenia.
Route 9D between Hughsonville and Putnam County.
River Road from Rhinebeck to Red Hook.
The grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion, Route 9, Hyde Park.
Ulster County:
Belleayre Ski Center, Highmount.
Ashokan Reservoir.
Lake Minnewaska State Park.
Routes 28 and 28A.
The scenic overlooks along Routes 44/55 in the Shawangunk Mountains.

The biggest draw in the mid-Hudson Valley during the fall is the same, ever-changing, awe-inspiring fall foliage season that has attracted visitors to the region for as long as there have been visitors to attract. It's the original greatest show on earth.

"If you were coming from Holland, where the early settlers originated and where it was pretty flat and under water half the time, and got to this country and saw fall burst forth, well, you must have really been astonished,'' says Eileen Hayden, director of the Dutchess County Historical Society.

Hundreds of years ago, the fall foliage season was always a surprise, given the lack of long-range forecasting. These days, the approach of the season of change brings increased expectations. Will the leaves change quickly or will it be a quickie?

With cooler weather, trees take the nutrients they need out of their leaves, transfer the nutrients to their storage system and discard the leaves. Weather conditions, past and present, determine the length of that process.

The longer the process takes the better it is for onlookers. "Brilliant leaves and an extended season help attract visitors, but many visitors don't know the kind of changeover they'll have until they get here,'' says Susan Howell, Orange County's tourism director and president of Hudson Valley Tourism, a cooperative multi-county tourism effort.

"People come here for pumpkins and apple picking, farm markets and foliage festivals,'' says Howell. "There are even chairlifts now that take you up to the mountains at ski areas for a better view of the changing leaves.''

The Hudson River Arts Festival in the City of Poughkeepsie in September is one of many attraction that draws thousands of visitors to the region.

"I think that's a great addition because people who come in for the arts festival may want to stop off at West Point or any number of places,'' says Howell. "The festival helps to heighten awareness of the beauty of the Hudson Valley.''

While the view is always spectacular there are probably not as many trees today as there were years ago. Still, it's possible to enjoy a peak into the past.

"A few years ago, I happened to be on the roof of a local mansion on a beautiful fall day,'' recalls Hayden. "I could across the river and all around. The leaves totally blocked out any view of modern times. I couldn't see any roads or houses. Nothing but trees and leaves. It was gorgeous.''

, Poughkeepsie Journal .
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service (updated December 17, 2002).