Just the idea of Vermont's crisp autumn air simply tantalizes southerners, as they have endured five long months of hot and humid summer weather that sometimes continues on into October. The refreshing coolness of Vermont's mountains can be a welcome relief as well as a pleasurable change of scenery. Vermont, the Green Mountain State, is one of the least populated American states, second only to Wyoming.
     This morning view catches a cool mist as it rises up from the warmer waters of the Ottauquechee River. This eastern Vermont river flows for 40 miles past some of state's typical small villages. The Ottauquechee flows out of the Green Mountains in eastern Rutland County, cuts an impressive 165 foot deep gorge at Quechee, and eventually joins the Connecticut River. New England's Berkshires, White and Green Mountains are all part of the Appalachians, and its hardwood forests will put on one eye-popping show during early October.