I was born and raised in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (the NEK as we call it). I’ve lived, worked and played in Colorado and Wyoming for the past 23 years. Although I still believe no other place rivals Vermont in the fall – and in so many other ways – I do get star struck as I drive through the mountains, valleys and plains of Colorado during the fall. This scene in Vermont is astounding, it’s true. It makes me long for my home state during the fall season.  Courtesy of Marc Plourde, Vermont Instead, I take a drive to places nearby, to get my foliage fix. I recently took a Journey Out Yonder up and over Grand Mesa. She presented a spectacular display of autumn Aspen color.  A landslide of color. The Crystal River Valley has another week or two before it peaks.  Foliage framed by dark conifers.  Brilliant oranges pop! Grand Mesa, the largest flat top mountain in North America, exudes brilliance.  Reach to the sky! Be like a fall Aspen tree…stand tall, and proud.  Aspens stand atop basalt boulders. A pallet of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. A touch of dark, green pines and brilliant blue sky provides contrast.  Yellows dominate.  A touch of red reminds me of my VT home.  Some trees, just like people, resist change.