Holiday weekend sparks return of high foliage traffic
Fall foliage traffic has surged to levels the New England region hasn’t seen for two years. The holiday weekend of Oct. 9-11 was of course the catalyst for this, but in many places, the crowds have continued into much of this week.
Traffic going in and out of Woodstock Village on Route 12 near Billings Farm, Saturday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Fall foliage traffic has surged to levels the New England region hasn’t seen for two years. The holiday weekend of Oct. 9-11 was of course the catalyst for this, but in many places, the crowds continued into the week.
In Woodstock, Vermont, the downtown crowds quickly gathered, filling restaurants, stores and village sidewalks. Courtney Lowe, president of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, said the very busy weekend continued what’s been a strong leisure travel market since June. The resort is seeing more elderly couples now, since many switched their reservations from 2020.
“There’s a pretty large migration of reservations coming from last year to this year, so that did fill us up pretty quickly in this time period,” Lowe said.
Another theme: The bus tours are back, and are adding to the crowds in a big way. That’s a large part of the pent up demand bringing the huge surge in traffic throughout the week.
“People want to get out and about,” said Jeff Kahn, owner of the Unicorn. “The number of bus tours has doubled, tripled, from most recent years.”
Overall, Kahn said he’s seen repeat visitors, but also travelers who are coming to Woodstock for the first time — and lots of each.
“Forty-three years in, I never expected to still be working 7 days a week, but this week it was required,” he said.
Kim Smith, co-owner of 37 Central Clothiers and the Red Wagon Toy Co., said it was a super busy weekend, and a popular one for ice cream. Smith runs Woodstock Scoops, an ice-cream pop-up shop, just across the street from her stores.
“It was just a beautiful weekend, and we sold lots of maple creemees,” she said.
In a sign of business looking up, Lowe said the resort has seen an increasing number of people booking over the long term, into next summer and fall.
“It helps you build a base for the following year,” Lowe said. “I feel like every inn, every lodging business in Vermont, has been extremely busy this whole time period."
— Gareth Henderson
Looking toward the good
As we let a spirit of peace inspire us, every interaction becomes an opportunity to see the good in others. The uplifting effect is harmonious, restful, and an open gift each of us can always experience.
It's a familiar phrase: Life is a matter of perspective. The same holds true all year, including this fall season, when we not only welcome in the dazzling colors of autumn, but also numerous visitors to these Green Mountains we love. Some folks are making their first trip, while others have made numerous journeys north and have forged some longtime local friendships along the way. Indeed, the traffic can be tough, but it’s also a time of sharing our home — this beautiful Vermont — with others. Any time we’re going about our daily routines, that connection can happen in this land we all love.
I had such an experience earlier in the week, when making my way through South Woodstock and stopping several times to explore some new photo angles on some favorite vistas. With the distant mountains in sight at one location, I stopped — but I wasn’t the only one. Another car approached from the opposite direction, with another behind it. For a moment I thought I might have to move, to avoid an impending mini traffic-jam. But I calmly went about my business, needing to change camera lenses for a better shot. I came back out to see the driver who had stopped near me, with camera in hand to capture the view while the late-afternoon sun still brightened the mountaintops. “Pretty irresistible isn’t it?” I said, pointing into the distance. “Oh I know!” came the cheerful reply.
In a few minutes, we both went our separate ways, but having shared that joyful moment and a few smiles — all because we both wanted to see and remember the same beautiful, quiet place in the Greens.
As we roll into the holiday weekend, opportunities for kindly moments of connection with others will be plentiful. They might come up where they’re least expected, too. But whatever happens, there remain many good moments in the world, even when major issues arise and appear unmovable. When we embrace even brief instances of good and share them with others, a bit more peace abides in the world at that precious moment. And those times are not the exception to any rule, but they reflect who we naturally are. As we let that spirit of peace inspire us, every interaction becomes an opportunity to see the good in others. The uplifting effect is harmonious, restful, and an open gift each of us can always experience.
— Gareth Henderson
Fall colors, welcome back
On the heels of that first rush of cool autumn, here come the colors. Here in Vermont, the fall foliage is popping up everywhere.
Early fall foliage as seen from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
On the heels of that first rush of cool autumn, here come the colors. In Vermont, the fall foliage is popping up everywhere — and it's one week early, experts say.
It's a visual breath of fresh air, to see the mountains light up with reds, oranges and yellows. Though it marks the end of summer, many might be ready for fall after the brutally humid days many experienced in New England this year. Already I hear many conversations of baking for the upcoming season — we all know about those apple creations, and many others. That late-afternoon cup of tea will increasingly make its appearance, too, as those temps drop to autumn lows.
Not so fast, though. This weekend, everyone's getting outside to catch that last gasp of summer, with temperatures in the 70s throughout the region. It's a time to not only enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings and attractions, but to do what we can to support local businesses, many of which need every bit of income as the fall season revs up. For that reason, it was a good feeling to head through downtown Woodstock and see lots of traffic on Saturday. Hopefully that continues here and throughout other nearby states, with of course the need to follow the state and local restrictions in place to keep everybody healthy.
As with every season in 2020, this one will look different in many respects. Numerous big events are cancelled, and other traditions are also off the table. But there are still ways to enjoy this time of year, connect with others, and sustain a sense of community, including showing kindness to one another, even amid challenges. If we’re determined to do that, nothing can take away that great feeling we have when adding to the world’s good, and sharing it with others so they can benefit, too. That approach to community is a powerful force — one that makes any season brighter.
— Gareth Henderson