Vermont

Most people probably love Vermont in September and October when the leaves are colorful, but we actually prefer November when there are fewer leaves to block the views and definitely fewer leaf peepers to get in our way. Dang tourists.
Over the years I have hauled Christmas trees to SouTex from MT, ID, AZ, and NM, so since we were in a coniferous area decided to pop in on the Green Mountain National Forest to see if they were selling Christmas tree permits yet. Really friendly manager named Jeff said they didn't start until after Thanksgiving and was also worried any tree would be denuded by the time it got home. Convinced him it would be just fine so he dug the permits out of a file drawer and wrote me a special letter receipt in case we got pulled over. Add Jeff to the list of people who think we must be crazy traveling as far as we do for birds and tree.
Moved a grouse while hunting for a tree (of course) and then went by to see Texas Falls again, one of the few scenic places I've returned to in my travels.

Don't Mess With Texas. Took the opportunity to clean some trash out of the beautiful scenery. Water was fast and cold but it made for much better pictures. 

Found our tree further up Texas Falls Road, which just seemed appropriate.

Another benefit of November are apples along the road. Emil loves shaking the tree!

Also made a stop at the New England Maple Syrup museum so Emil could learn about the process and I could restock on syrup and spices ... another return  visit.
Craving lobster rolls we stopped in Lee, MA and ate at the Salmon Run Fish House where we had awesome hot rolls which I paired with a Whale Tale ale.  Scrumptious!