Autumn Drive Through The High Peaks Region - Part 1

We were on our way up to the farm, the dogs and I, and had just finished a fun rest stop at the abandoned Frontier Town (see previous two posts). We continued on our way up Route 73 through the High Peaks Region. When I saw a small pull-off by the side of the road, I stopped just to take a look at the adjacent Ausable River:

The Ausable River was lovely and serene:

I walked downstream a bit and returned to find my dogs very concerned about my absence:

We continued on, with autumn foliage and rocky peaks rising up on both sides of the road. It was a rainy day and almost every peak, large or small, was sporting puffy clouds - like the one straight ahead in this photo:

We climbed higher and higher into the mountains, with rocky ridges abutting both sides of the road:

Small wisps of clouds floated mysteriously against the autumn leaves and rocky surfaces:

Some mountaintops were completely veiled in cloudy mists:

When we reached Chapel Pond, I stopped, parked and got out to take a couple of photos:

I was not disappointed. Chapel Pond was gorgeous:

Even up close like I was, the clouds hugged the mountains around Chapel Pond:

And then we began to drop down into the Keene Valley. Most of the very brilliant autumn colors had faded to a copper and green mix, but the mountains were still wonderful with their cottony puffs of clouds:

A small waterfall right next to the road was another occasion for a brief stop. I remembered stopping here on one of my first drives up to the farm. But we had many miles to go and lots of scenery ahead of us. I'll post more tomorrow: