A Perfect Autumn Drive
Leaf peeping is an autumn activity in areas where foliage changes colors. 'Leaf peepers' are those who participate in viewing the spectacular fall foliage.  Visitors flock to ‘supreme’ leaf peeping areas, which can depend greatly from week to week.  This activity often involves driving down certain routes that are known for their flaming red, orange, and yellow leaves.  Going for a drive and searching out the brilliant leaves is a perfect Fall activity.

Why Leaves Change Color
The mixture of red, purple, orange and yellow is the result of chemical processes that take place in the tree as the seasons change from summer to winter.  During the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where most of the foods necessary for the tree's growth are manufactured. This food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. This extraordinary chemical absorbs from sunlight the energy that is used in transforming carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch.  Most of the year other pigments are hidden by the great amount of green.  But in the fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible.  Other chemical changes happen in the Fall, and this gives trees their reds and purple leaves.

Tips for a Fall Drive
 -If you are staying overnight – reserve early
 -Don’t obsess about peak color
 -Aim for slightly off peak and go midweek, if you can. You will find much fewer crowds
 -If you are bringing kids, plan for other activities besides leaf viewing. Go apple picking, take a hayride, or   
    go to a pumpkin farm.
 -Save your memories. Have the kids choose some favorite leaves to take home. You can press them  
   between pages of a book and then frame them, or iron them between sheets of wax paper 
 -The U.S. Forest  Service links to fall color reports in all but a few states

When and Where to Go
Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the length of fall color.  The best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry, and cool (not freezing) day.  Precisely when the leaves turn, and how brilliant the colors will be, can't be predicted too far in advance, because it depends on early fall weather.  The most popular spots include New England, North Carolina, and Northern Indiana.  Here is an approximate schedule of when prime leaf color can be seen:

-Sept. 2ct. 8: Vermont (northern) Sept. 2ct. 29: New York, depending on elevation and distance from coast Oct. 5-15: Colorado, Maine (inland), Michigan (northern), Minnesota (northern), Montana (central), New Hampshire (inland), New Mexico, Vermont (southern), Wisconsin, Wyoming.

-Oct. 12-22: Arizona, Idaho, Illinois (northern), Indiana (northern), Iowa, Kentucky (eastern), Maine (coastal), Massachusetts (inland), Michigan (southern), Minnesota (northern), Missouri (northern), Montana (western), New Hampshire (coastal), North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia.

-Oct. 19-29: Arkansas (Ozarks), California (northern), Connecticut, Illinois (southern), Indiana (southern), Kentucky (western), Maryland (inland), Massachusetts (coastal), Missouri (southern), New Jersey (inland), North Carolina (inland), Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia (inland), Washington.

-Oct. 26-Nov. 5: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia (northern), Maryland (coastal), Mississippi (northern), New Jersey (coastal), North Carolina (coastal), South Carolina, Virginia (coastal)