Central Vermont Foliage Tour - 88 miles

By Wilfred Perkins, erstwhile bon vivant, wag,
and current editor extraordinaire of the Taftsville Tales

Starting in Woodstock, take Route 12 North out of town, past Billings Farm & Museum and the Marsh Billings National Park. Continue north through Barnard past Silver Lake to the junctions of Routes 12 and 107. Turn on Route 107 West towards the Green Mountains, through Gaysville to the junction of Routes 107 and 100. Take Route 100 South through Pittsfield towards Killington. The Green Mountain National Forest is on your right (to the west).

At the junction of Routes 100 and 4 turn left on Route 4 East. After 6 miles, in West Bridgewater, turn right and you are back on Route 100 South. Route 100 may be the prettiest drive in all of Vermont.

In five miles you will reach the junction with Route 100A on your left. Plymouth, and the Calvin Coolidge birthplace, is a short one mile side trip up 100A, and is worth a visit if you have the time, but figure on a couple hours to see it.

Continue your foliage tour on 100 South through Tyson, past Okemo Mountain Ski Resort, and into the town of Ludlow. In Ludlow you will want to turn right onto Route 131 East, towards Proctorsville.

Take 131 East through Proctorsville, Cavendish (former home to Alexander Solzenitchen), to Downers Corners. At the junction of Routes 131 and 106, turn left on Route 106 North. Travel north through Felchville, Reading, Hammondsville and South Woodstock (checkout the fabulous Kedron Valley Inn directly in front of you as the road bears to the right as you pass through the village). Continue north five miles. The Woodstock Country Club will be on your right as you re-enter the village of Woodstock.

When the posted speed limit is reduced to 25 miles per hour, believe it! You'll be travelling downhill with a tendency to pick up speed, which the village police are very aware of. They are armed with radar guns, and love to point them up the hill from the base by the Woodstock Inn.

Now that you're back in Woodstock, take Route 4 East three miles to the Taftsville Country Store, where you can load up on Vermont Cheeses, syrup, and other gourmet items. Tell them Wilfred sent you!