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Polaroid of the Week: Breathtaking Leaf-Peeping Road Trip to Upstate New York's Bear Mountain

Polaroid of the Week: Breathtaking Leaf-Peeping Road Trip to Upstate New York s Bear MountainI once thought I disliked fall, but I've realized it's November I dread, not the season itself. Last October and in 2011, I loved watching leaves transform in Chicago. This year in New York, the spectacle has been equally enchanting.

I've long dreamed of a Vermont fall getaway, renowned for North America's most vibrant foliage from abundant maples bursting in orange and yellow. Though broader New England plans proved too ambitious, I carved out a day trip upstate. Convinced I could navigate NYC driving (spoiler: returned the rental unscathed), I set off north on a sunny October day to capture the stunning colors.

I headed to Bear Mountain State Park and the Seven Lakes Scenic Drive, winding past seven picturesque lakes with prime viewpoints. It was an ideal day—the foliage was spectacular, yielding hundreds of photos amid a refreshing city escape. It's remarkable how much verdant beauty awaits just an hour from New York City.

While the countryside invigorated me, I relished returning to the city's vibrant nights. Crisp mornings are perfect for Central Park runs, inhaling autumn air as leaves shift daily. Post-jog coffees and mostly sunny afternoons make October shine. November's gray rains depress me, but having fled them since a dismal 2010 London winter—and planning another escape—deepens my gratitude for these golden days.

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