Any pretty colors still in Ohio or Pennsylvania?

[SweetTooth]

My DH & I are driving out east later this week and are trying to decide on our route. We will be driving thru both Ohio and Pennsylvania, so we were wondering if there are any pretty colors still left to see? If so, we are going to try to plan our routes accordingly.

I said maybe my fellow cooks could help me out here.

TIA!

[VictoriaL]

I'm in SW Pennsylvania and it is pretty, but not nearly as spectacular as in previous years. We had absolutely no rain for the first 3 weeks of October and that usually means a rather bland showing of colors (the trees need the moisture for their best display). But the scenery along the highways (are you driving I-70?) is a heck of a lot nicer here than it will be in a couple of weeks (or, worse, February...). :)

[MKSquared]

The colors are changing really late here, and we just enjoyed a gorgeous fall day here in Central Ohio. The trees are blazing red or gold ... along with quite a few green trees still stubbornly hanging on. Are you driving 80/90 or 70? Or maybe going old school and taking the Old National Road? ;)

[SweetTooth]

Victoria & MK, probably 80/90 or 70, depending on where might be the most scenic. What is "Old National Road"?

Thanks for the info so far. We won't be leaving until Wed am, so feel free to chime in with more routes. We would even consider an "alternate scenic" route for the pretty drive if you know of any of those.

Thanks again!

[avariell]

i would definitely take the old national road - 40 east and west of columbus. (it is a road that runs parallel to I-70). i would hop on 70 to avoid downtown columbus though :)

i drove west on 70 past dayton this weekend and then turned south to go to my sister's house. the colors were very pretty. but i will warn you that 70 west of columbus is a horribly boring drive without much of anything to look at - which is why i would get on the old national road or look for alternate country road routes :)

[erin elizabeth]

I live in NE OH and my mom and I drove to Pittsburgh on the Turnpike this weekend--there were still amazing views--wide sweeps of fields, gorgeous trees, bare branches against the sky, dried corn stalks hit with sun, cows grazing in the fields. Really, it was beautiful.

[MKSquared]

The Old National Road was one of the first highways in the US, and was the first one that was funded with federal money, thanks to Thomas Jefferson. It started at the Potomac River and was supposed to go all the way to the Mississippi River. (It didn't quite make it, though!) It crosses through Ohio and Indiana (along with PA, IL, WV, and MD) and is basically Rt 40, which I-70 parallels, give or take.

Just some American History with your morning coffee .... :D

[MKSquared]

but i will warn you that 70 west of columbus is a horribly boring drive without much of anything to look at - which is why i would get on the old national road or look for alternate country road routes :)

Most. Boring. Drive. Ever.

[Kyra]

70 between the Indiana state line and Columbus is SO boring, it will make you want to shoot yourself. If they ever invent an "autopilot" feature for cars, this would be the perfect place to test it. (I bet I could drive that in my sleep, along with 71 between Columbus and Cincinnati.)

Sorry, I digress. Yes, get off the interstate, and Mary Kate is right, we do have some good color left here. I wonder about the Hocking Hills, if that isn't too far off your path?

[wwhirledpeas]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7ce11b3127ccebe818a66a29d00000026100IcsWbFmzZMV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7ce11b3127ccebe818ab2a24900000026100IcsWbFmzZMV

Here is Ohio this past Sunday, between Cleveland and Youngstown - just south of the turnpike.


Enjoy your trip!!!!