Jay,

Just had a superb leaf flight over the weekend. North out of Grand
Rapids, Michigan; color was getting well under way and got better as
went north; best southeast of Traverse City (Grand Traverse dinner
train runs two-a-day 3 hour dinner runs into the area, perfect time
for it). To my surprise, as we approached the shore of Lake Michigan,
the color hadn't started, apparently the residual warmth of the lake
delays things for some miles along the shoreline. We went north up to
the Mackinac Bridge and crossed over into the Upper Peninsula where
colors got more intense, but the winds had picked up to the point that
to go northwest further into the U.P. meant 30 knots on the nose, so
we turned and landed on Mackinac Island, where the color on the higher
points of the island was spectacular. Next morning we flew southwest
along the lake shore, stopped at one of the most beautiful little
airports on the planet, Woolsey, for a picnic at the WPA-built field
stone terminal building. Lots of picnic benches and places to cook
had we brought charcoal. Then south along the coast to Muskegon,
although the color was spotty, intense in the marshy areas, hardly
started elsewhere. From Muskegon inland color was much better.
Excellent trip, lovely color and perfect weather. I guess it was just
sucking us in for the steel-gray of winter. sigh

Warmest regards,
Rick

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message news:2NI9d.213796$D%.200022@attbi_s51...
My Top Two votes:

1. Up the Mississippi River valley from Savannah, IL north to LaCrosse, WI.

With this sudden, early cold snap, the colors in the Midwest have abruptly
changed, and I imagine the flight past the bluffs that mark the confluence
of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers will be even more stunning than in
years past. (I'm hoping to do that flight Sunday afternoon.)

2. Over Lake McBride and the Coralville Reservoir, just a few miles north of
Iowa City.

A heavily wooded area of hills and ravines, the late afternoon sun really
digs deep into the parkland forest, setting off the brilliant colors along
the shoreline.

What's your vote?