Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/08/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Greg Locke wrote: . . . This will let me take the "air route" through Maine and crossing into Quebec at Vermont south of Sherbrook or further east in Maine around Megantic. . . . --> What you may want is the "peak" and this shifts over a period of about 10 days depending on location, altitude and weather. Fall Colors usually are "somewhere" between Sept 20th and October 10th. Rimouski, the Trans-Canada way to New Brunswick takes you either a bit lower, at Rivière-du-Loup, 200 miles North from Quebec city, with a Matapedia Valley option about 275 miles from Quebec city: that area is about over by Oct 1st most years -- I've lived there three years and it's fantastic, but even better further North, through the Cascapedia Valley (scenery there is out of this World) with a little used road from Ste Anne des Monts to New Richmond -- beware of late Fall and Winter there's lots of snow there and icy road often -- if you're into landscapes and post card photography (I've even encountered a herd of about 20-25 moose one evening ), this is one place to check out, same for hunting and sport fishing. I live close to the USA border -- Sherbrooke is 35 miles North from the 49th parallel, 10 miles North from North Hatley, in the Appalachian mountain range. The area you describe is mountainous, wild for the most part, so you have to understand that the peak days, usually about 3-4 days per area, shift significantly BUT, as you are travelling through much of it, you stand a very good chance of catching part of the "action". This is a high grade deer hunting region too, a bit later on in the year. If you happen to come back in Canada through Megantic, use the older road closer to the border: the scenery there is nonesuch -- bring binoculars, you'd be in for a treat. Mont Megantic, where the observatory is, can be spellbinding, and, on clear days and nights, you can see Montreal [ ! ], but turn East / South and the beauty is simply majestic. There's a paved road to the top and it's free; just make sure your brakes are in good condition . . . it's quite steep is a few places. On the American side of the region, peak days are a little later but the vista is just as magical. People come here from around the World, many Japanese photo nuts lately: do consider. I'd say later September to Oct 5th, most years. The hotels I mentioned are all of the older "stylish" variety, with an accent on good living and outstanding food. I "sold" North Hatley Inn but Hovey Manor's grounds and excellent cuisine is the one I actually prefer; I'd characterize it as having an early XXth Century style but it's mostly the sort of place you'd go to for an executive's restful few days away from the noise and bustle of metro cities to recenter and enjoy Life. Many well-to-do people choose the area for their later years: lucky dogs ! No wonder many American millionnaires of late XIXth Century liked North Hatley and built many mansions there. The lake is almost 1000' deep and it's a year round Nature show. There's good golf and fishing (many species) there, too. I hope your travelling dates coincide with the peaking days: you'll NEVER forget the experience, especially as you have the photographer's eye (and soul) for this Kodachrome region. Best regards, Andre Jean Quintal