Our 2025 wrap-up is based on three trips we made during the year and blogged about. The first was Hawaii, which I posted two weeks ago. The second was our Southwest journey that I posted last week. Today we are covering our third, and final trip of the year: The leaf-peeping drive through New England in October and November.
While the photos we selected for the Hawaii and Southwest were ones we chose to use in our annual family calendars, this one is different. Because our New England trip was recent, I’ve selected photos not used in the calendars. Most were also not used in our blogs—sort of a third level, so to speak. But, in New England, even ‘also-ran’ is colorful!
Drive down any country road in New England at the right time in the fall and you will see what leaf peeping is all about. In the photo above, the road wasn’t filled with as much color as many we drove down, but the reddish-orange tree lit up by the sun was enough for us to snap a picture out the window.
Another example. The way the trees reached across the road here made us feel like we were driving through a kaleidoscope.Lake Champlain provided us to with numerous opportunities to admire the fall colors. The mountains in the background are the Green Mountains of Vermont. We were following a road down on the northern end of the lake that connects a series of islands.A view across Lake Champlain from one of its islands.This photo was taken from the northwestern bank of Lake Champlain. The view is all the way across the lake.We felt that the foreground often added interest to our photos.Color wasn’t limited to the trees. Both grass and brush joined the palette.Another example with the grass adding a golden color. The trees in the foreground had lost their leaves, but they provided a contrast to the trees behind them.Again, one of the close to impressionistic photos of New England I included in my blogs and calendar.It seemed curious to us that the leaves on some trees could still be green while the other leaves on the tree had completely changed. The red and green made me think about Christmas.When the leaf peeping isn’t great, a few leaves can substitute.I thought this tree would be a fitting end to our 2025 travels. The limbs provided a contrast to the colorful leaves, but, in a way, they also reminded us of the many roads we had traveled over in 2025.
Next up: What we have planned for our blog in 2026!
Curt, I’m glad these photos made the cut and appeared in this post. 😀 New England looks just as magical as I imagined and the Autumn colours truly glorious. Your trips last year sound amazing and wishing you and Peggy a year ahead filled with adventure and laughter!
Thanks, Annika. I’m stretching my memory a bit here. Is Sweden your alternate home? If so, I imagine you’ve seen lots of amazing fall colors! And thanks, the trips planned so Farr should accomplish that! And Peggy and I always laugh a lot! The very best to you as well this coming year.
Yes, I’m Swedish and although I’ve lived in England most of my life we often go back to Sweden. This year I was lucky enough to be there for two months – but during the summer. It’s very beautiful but haven’t seen autumn there for years. A lot of the forest are pine and fir trees, as well as lots of birch trees so not such mass of dramatic colours. Happy travels to you both and glad your plans are well underway.
Ah, but the yellow of the birches can be gorgeous against the dark green of the pine and fir trees!
So true and I’ve got lots of photos of just this! 😀
There you go!
You know what I noticed about that last tree photo: there is a hole, a portal, for us to look into the future. In this photo, I appreciate that the future is a brilliant blue sky day! It has been a creative and engaging way to review your 2025, Curt, by using these calendar collections as the means. Thank you for ending with such a brilliant one. It’s a good day to feel brilliant, as I embark into the beginnings of a new year. Hugs and love to you both from Pedro and me.
A portal to the future for sure my friend. And who, better than you to spot it. I really enjoyed the calendar approach. And hey, Crystal, it made my job so much easier than having to sift through hundreds of photos! A new year, always time for new beginnings, regardless of age or experience. The very best to the two of you as you continue on your joint adventure.
Thank you for this last year! I feel honored that I can see where you folks travel and feel as if I know you two! On a sunny but cold day in Olympia…blessings on your next travels and I will see you down the road! Thank you!
Wandering through Time and Place 
Pingback: New England: Where Color Matters… The 2025 Wrap-up – novaTopFlex
Thanks for the link!
Curt, I’m glad these photos made the cut and appeared in this post. 😀 New England looks just as magical as I imagined and the Autumn colours truly glorious. Your trips last year sound amazing and wishing you and Peggy a year ahead filled with adventure and laughter!
Thanks, Annika. I’m stretching my memory a bit here. Is Sweden your alternate home? If so, I imagine you’ve seen lots of amazing fall colors! And thanks, the trips planned so Farr should accomplish that! And Peggy and I always laugh a lot! The very best to you as well this coming year.
Yes, I’m Swedish and although I’ve lived in England most of my life we often go back to Sweden. This year I was lucky enough to be there for two months – but during the summer. It’s very beautiful but haven’t seen autumn there for years. A lot of the forest are pine and fir trees, as well as lots of birch trees so not such mass of dramatic colours. Happy travels to you both and glad your plans are well underway.
Ah, but the yellow of the birches can be gorgeous against the dark green of the pine and fir trees!
So true and I’ve got lots of photos of just this! 😀
There you go!
You know what I noticed about that last tree photo: there is a hole, a portal, for us to look into the future. In this photo, I appreciate that the future is a brilliant blue sky day! It has been a creative and engaging way to review your 2025, Curt, by using these calendar collections as the means. Thank you for ending with such a brilliant one. It’s a good day to feel brilliant, as I embark into the beginnings of a new year. Hugs and love to you both from Pedro and me.
A portal to the future for sure my friend. And who, better than you to spot it. I really enjoyed the calendar approach. And hey, Crystal, it made my job so much easier than having to sift through hundreds of photos! A new year, always time for new beginnings, regardless of age or experience. The very best to the two of you as you continue on your joint adventure.
I love the red and green leaves on one tree.
Seemed strange to us!
Lovely fall colors! I’m looking forward to seeing what you have coming up in 2026.
We will be heading abroad, Diana. Plus!
Thank you for this last year! I feel honored that I can see where you folks travel and feel as if I know you two! On a sunny but cold day in Olympia…blessings on your next travels and I will see you down the road! Thank you!
With love,
Wendy Olympia
As you know, we love having you along! Much more coming this year including Costa Rica, Scotland and Bali.
Your photos tell it all and the wrap up is a feast for the eyes and senses my friend. Love to Peggy and glad you had a great holiday and New Year.
Looking forward to another year of sharing and caring, your new book and health and prosperity to you all!!!!!
❤️
Photos are definitely the way to go when relating New England fall colors!
The intro to my new series/blog a book will be next week. 😁