Foliage, Riprap & Poetry
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| Looking northeast to Green Mountains from the meadow at Robert Frost Interpretative Trail 14 October 2023 |
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| Along Rt 125 Ripton, Vermont 14 October 2023 |
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| Ripton, Vermont 14 October 2023 |
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| Rt 125 RipRap roadside repairs after July 2023 heavy flooding |
Riprap
There is a lot of roadside repairs being done on Route 125 going up from East Middlebury to Ripton, Vermont. There was heavy flooding last July 2023. One section is one lane with lights to manage traffic.
The peak foliage, I believe, was the Indigenous Peoples' Day long weekend. My photographs here were taken the weekend after. This illustrates how short a window there can be to see the best colors in certain areas. There are places that are just turning. For the most part, the higher elevations are past peak. Again, my opinion. Check your local foliage reports.
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| One Lane Light Rt 125 Ripton, Vermont |
I always remember the name riprap from the title of Gary Snyder's first book of poetry, "Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems, 1965."
Isn't it amazing how fleeting the beauty of autumn is? Of any season, I suppose. It's good that we can capture so much beauty with our cameras or phones.
ReplyDeleteLoree,
ReplyDeleteThe weather this year has been weird.
It is cooler here now. A geranium is in full bloom like it is summer.
You're right -- those leaves burst -- and then either fade or drop quickly. Seeing your views makes me wonder if Rick passed through this country when he rode down from Ontario/Quebec to Massachusetts. I know he passed through Dorset and Manchester and stayed at a state park I think was on Lake Champlain. He said Vermont "does it right." Your photos say the same.
ReplyDeleteJeanie,
ReplyDeleteHe might have stayed at the northern Grand Isle State Park on the shores of Lake Champlain or Button Bay State Park just up the road from here. Dorset is on the west side of Route 7, a regular bike traveler's route. From Rt 7 across the state east, you can reach Manchester, New Hampshire.
A few weeks ago, I passed serious bicycle riders going south on Route 7. You can tell the day trippers from the long way to goers and the bike for a team folks. They were in teamish gear.
We are coming into peak season here shortly. Rain the last few days has kept us inside.
ReplyDeleteMarie,
ReplyDeleteI hope your wearther improves for being outdoors.
I thought of your photo of stew in your thermos from way back when as I was driving up to Ripton. I forgot to have lunch before I left. :)
Just returned from a trip to Colorado and we happened to hit it just right! Although, after we left the really pretty reds and oranges came out. Looks like Vermont is like Colorado in that both states are under construction.
ReplyDeleteTerri,
ReplyDeleteYour photos of Colorado are gorgeous!
Route 125 up to Ripton, Vermont has a lot of sharp curves and high banks on the hill side that's been damaged from last July's heavy rainfall. It is amazing how many miles of riprap they've put down.
I think we picked the best day to head north for our little trip. Alas there were few pictures taken, mainly because every vista either was spoiled by power or telephone lines (or...sadly, billboards) or no safe place to pull over to get photos. We know the colours are fleeting so best to seize the day and just go.
ReplyDeleteMaryanne,
ReplyDeleteMany photo editing programs have a feature where you can remove the power lines.
In Vermont, we have a strict no billboards law. I have to say, it makes a big difference driving, seeing landscapes instead of advertisements. Some, not enough, signal towers/atenna are made to look like pine trees.
peak is approaching for us, but is not yet here!! it always seems to come and go so fast. the mountains in your pictures are so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteThe foliage season does go by fast.
Thankfully, at this lower elevation, peak foliage shows up after the mountain trees are bare.
Lovely photos
ReplyDeleteThank you, William
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend