Roundabout routes and out-of-the-way adventures this fall By Katy England edge staff writer kengland@themaineedge.com All right, as of this week it’s officially fall and I’m going to stop whining about the colder weather and start enjoying myself. One of the ways I plan to do that is by driving around to peep at leaves as they begin to change all sorts of colors. The change of the seasons is nothing new to New England folks, but don’t let yourself get complacent. Promising yourself you’ll go out “next weekend” is a sure way to invite rain and wind that will strip those beautiful leaves off the branches – not a good way to start winter. This year I started early, plotting out some courses that combine great destinations and stunning views along the way. Loop-de-loop I surveyed a few friends and co-workers about some good routes. My friend Lori gave the best advice: Go where you can see trees. Sounds simple, but it’s true. You want to be able to see a lot of trees, but you also want to see them a lot of different ways: on hill and mountain slopes, overhanging shimmering rivers, reflecting coolly off a placid lake, or dappling the sun in the roadway. Or all of the above. She also recommended that I check out Route 9 heading towards Machias – so I did. I headed out to Route 9 from Bangor, hanging a left once I crossed the river, heading towards Eddington. The road is fast, but not too fast. And remember, if you get caught behind someone, you’re supposed to out enjoying the ride; it’s not a race. With these loops I did my best to start and end in Bangor with as little overlap as possible. The great thing about these routes is that they’re easily adjustable to become longer or shorter at a whim. I took Route 9 all the way to Township 22. This road is amazing, offering corridors of trees, heart-stopping vistas, and rolling hills that are picture perfect. Then cut across on 193 heading towards Cherryfield – you can stay on 9 all the way to Calais if you choose, but I had to turn around sometime. 193 was a fun road with a moderate speed limit. It had fewer hills, but way more fields and lovely sun-dappled branches that make for a lovely tunnel of foliage. This road hooks up with the infamous Route 1 in Milbridge. Again, you have the option of taking a right to head back towards Ellsworth or taking a left to check out the coastal route towards Machias and Lubec – a fabulous ride if you have the time and the gas money. Route 1 is a spectacular route any time of year, but with the coastal views and waterways it’s a panorama during the fall. I stopped at Joshy’s Place and grabbed a clam roll and a milkshake. But you might want to check on seasonal restaurants before you go (Jordan’s Snack Bar was still open in Ellsworth, but as Columbus Day weekend edges closer a lot of seasonal eateries will shut for the winter). Once in Ellsworth I continued on Routes 1 and 3 towards Orland and Bucksport. You can take Route 1A straight back to Bangor, and it also has some great views with rolling, tree-covered hills. Stop over at The Big Chicken Barn at the Ellsworth/Orland town line to check out some great antiques and used books. If you’re looking for a shortcut back into town, you have a couple options from here. Take Route 46 towards Holden to get a great look at trees on Hancock and Long Pond; this also takes you by Wight’s Apple Orchard. Or you can stay on Route 15 and head back through Brewer. Both routes are great for leaf peeping. In Bucksport I hopped over to Verona Island, crossed the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and took a right onto Route 174. This takes you past Fort Knox in Prospect. And don’t forget that the observatory is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of some leaves, not to mention the river and the bay. At the end of 174, I took a right onto Route 1A; this takes you around the back side of the Penobscot River, through Frankfort and Winterport. Along the way, you can stop at the Winterport Winery to check out their fine selection of local wine. Then I was back in Bangor. The whole trip was about 140 miles, and can be longer or shorter depending on your mood (and how many people are willing to pitch in for gas money) and only took me about three hours. To Infinity and beyond The next trip I tried was out Route 15, through Kenduskeag from Bangor. I’ve gone this way several times up to Greenville or Milo, and it’s stunning – especially if you head all the way to Moosehead Lake. But I said I’d take you off the beaten path, and I meant it. The road up to Dover-Foxcroft is incredible, especially once you pass the Green Mountain Correctional Facility and into some of the rolling hills. Barring some rough patches, Route 15 is a great road all the way into Dover-Foxcroft. Once I got there I took at left at the lights to Route 7, heading towards Dexter. Here too you’ll find some great tunnels of foliage, broken up by fields with stand-alone maples and oaks. Once I passed through Dexter I turned left onto Route 11 to Exeter before hooking up with Route 15 at a later point. There’s lots of apple orchards and cornfields this way. I took a left onto Route 22  towards Hudson. This sun-dappled road had a lot of low-hanging branches. From there I hooked a right onto Route 43, which connects with Route 2 at the lights in the center of Old Town. This road follows the river back into Bangor and has some spectacular views – and you might catch a glimpse of the occasional bald eagle. This trip is 120 miles and about 2.5 – 3 hours. Off the beaten path The best way to see trees is to get out of your car. Take a hike through the City Forest or hit the Bog Walk in Orono and Veazie. The colors out in swamps and on the water are often the first to turn and are a spectacle to behold. Blueberry barrens will often become a blaze of red, mimicking the fire that burns the fields in the springs – and even low-lying scrub brush takes part in autumn’s fantastic display. Don’t forget Acadia National Park, with plenty of biking and hiking trails. And there are plenty of lakes, ponds, and streams that you can still drop a canoe or kayak into to leaf peep from a vantage point that you never get in a car. So pack a lunch, fill your car, and get out there this fall to see the sights before we get snowed in. You can also check out the view from the Thomas Hill Standpipe if you time it right. If you want to check how stunning the leaves are visit mainefoliage.com and check conditions before going out. Tell us where to go! Let us know what you like to do and where you like to go for autumn festivities by sending us a picture and a brief description of a fun activity. We’ll publish our favorites in the Travel section of The Maine Edge. E-mail submissions to yourviews@themaineedge.com and tell us where to go!