The good news first. I timed my visit to Franconia Notch perfectly. Fall color was at its peak; the vibrancy this year was off the charts and the sky was clear. The bad news. I was not the only person who figured out that today would be an optimal time to visit. Traffic and congestion were terrible. Click on the photo below for a look at the crowds at the Artist’s Bluff Lookout.

Zoom in on the photo below to appreciate the classic New England fall foliage palette. I think the photograph is pretty good, but it does not do justice to the experience of seeing it in person. If you have never witnessed peak color in the Northeast Kingdom, it is something you should add to your bucket list.