In the fall of 2004 I visited Washington, DC to see two of my photographs displayed at the US Botanic Garden and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.  It was a highlight of my career to have two pictures on exhibit at these museums.  I have never been to New England in the fall, so I decided to visit Vermont to travel through the state for ten days or so.  I had a marvelous time, visiting many small towns along the way and spending the nights in small bed-and-breakfast inns.  The days were spent exploring, hiking, talking to the many kind people I found along the way, and looking for colorful scenery.  I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to go on the trip because I was recovering from the Epstein-Barr virus (also known as "mono") and had not done any serious exertion for almost two months.  Fortunately, I got a lot of rest prior to the trip and walked around Washington, DC for several days.  I started to feel much better.  

I was most impressed with how the people of Vermont fiercely protect the state's scenic beauty and preserve historic buildings.  Along many roads there is no evidence of popular fast-food restaurants or big-box stores.  Billboards are outlawed statewide.  Citizens are actively involved in government through town meetings, and corporate interests are subordinate to those of the people.  

It wasn't a spectacular year for foliage, but I still marveled at the beauty I encountered.  Near the town of Warren, I was driving on some old dirt roads and found a stream with some good foliage that might be worth photographing at sunrise.  The next morning I returned, but it wasn't as nice as I expected.  I took a couple of photos but decided to leave and save the time for more exploring.  On my way back to the car, I saw a vivid yellow glow through the trees and decided to go down to the water to have a closer look.  When I arrived, I couldn't believe it.  The water looked like liquid gold, and the ripples appeared almost frozen where the stream was flowing over the rocks in the foreground.  I could see that the light wouldn't last very long, so I hurriedly set up the camera.  There was no time to think.  I took three sheets of 4x5 film, with the final sheet already showing direct sun hitting the rocks in the stream, spoiling the shot.  I hoped one of the first two shots would be alright.  

When I got home from the trip and processed the film, it was magnificent.  the rocks under the water were visible beneath the golden surface, and there was gorgeous detail of the leaves and the wet rocks as well as that beautiful water that drew me there in the first place.  I have several other beautiful pictures of Vermont from the trip, but this one alone made the journey worth it.  I hope to return during a spectacular foliage year to explore more of the state.