Fall Weekends in Vermont and Maine

It's hard to argue that Autumn is not the best time to visit New England. Everyone knows it is known for its foliage colors, but mid-September, after the summer tourists have left and before the leaves have turned, is a great time to visit the Northeast. Two Saturdays ago, St. Johnsbury, Vermont had their Colors of the Kingdom Autumn Festival. The fact that it was only September 15th and in the mid-eighties was irrelevant as the mood was all fall, with a Parade, Farmers Market, Craft Fair and museum open houses.

One of the highlights was a scenic train ride along the Passumpsic River to the New Hampshire border where is meets up with the Connecticut River.

Passengers waiting to embark on a historic Green Mountain rail car

It was difficult to take pictures on the train, even though it was going relatively slow. I was able to capture a photo of this cool round barn. Sadly, the last "working" farm round barn in Vermont at Robillard Flats Dairy in Irasburg, burned down two years ago.

Round Barn in Barnet, Vermont

As part of the festival, the Fairbanks Museum offered free admission for the day. If you love natural history museums, this is not one to be missed.

Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium

This year they had a honeybee hive and a butterfly house out back.I recently blogged about discouraging the raising of Monarchs in captivity, but as an educational endeavor, especially for children, seeing butterflies up close and bees making honey is a unique opportunity and can instill a deeper appreciation of nature.

The Butterfly House at the Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury, Vermont

The had several varieties of butterflies and the appropriate live vegetation on which they could feed.

Admiral

Painted Lady

Black Swallowtails

Monarch

This past weekend, which did officially launch the beginning of Autumn, we drove up the coast of Maine. The temperature was seasonably cool, but beautiful. We stayed at the Black Point Inn, an affordable historic oceanfront Inn in Scarborough. Across the street from the parking area is a Cliff Walk a beautiful spot to enjoy the ocean views at any time of day.

Blackpoint Inn, Scarborough, Maine

A fisherman along the rocky coast of Maine

We saw dozens of Monarchs on their coastal migratory route. It was encouraging to see so many in their natural environment.

Monarch on Aster

I also saw this American Lady which migrates as well. It is identifiable from the Painted Lady by two small white spots on the upper orange part of the wings.

American Lady Butterfly

We did not see a wide variety of birds, and although common, this colorful cardinal was fun to watch as it feasted on some rose hips.

Cardinal enjoying some rose hips

It won't be long before ice and snow arrives, so make sure you take advantage of of the outdoor opportunities that Autumn presents.