Labor Day has come and gone, so it's time to think leaves, leaves, leaves! I spent three days on the road in Vermont over the holiday weekend, and while the Green Mountains are still very green, I saw some surprising signs of early fall color during my travels both in Manchester at Hildene (in my photo at right) and up in the mountains at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site (pictured below). My daughter and I even collected our first fallen leaves of the season, which we'll press and mail to readers who request free leaves.

By all signs, it's going to be a spectacular fall foliage season in New England. In Vermont last weekend and earlier this summer in the Berkshires, I heard from locals about what a rainy season it's been, and here in Connecticut, the rain is pattering outside my window once again as I type. Trees appear healthy, leaves are large and lush, and in just weeks, Mother Nature will paint these green canvases with all of the rustic colors of the autumn rainbow.

Of course, it's impossible to predict just when leaves will be at their peak, but you can follow the progression of the season with online fall foliage reports from the New England states. Most will begin mid-month: Vermont is already issuing updates and predicting "excellent autumn color."

Still Need Help Planning Your New England Fall Foliage Trip? I'll hold your hand every step of the way with my free, eight-day email course.

I've also got a new tip for you on an affordable accommodations alternative for foliage season.

_{Photos © 2008 Kim Knox Beckius.}

New additions this week to Kim's New England Deal Sheet:

Leaf peep by land and by sea with the Fall Foliage Surf and Turf package at Freeport, Maine's Brewster House B&B;

Print an online coupon and receive thy discount to King Richard's Faire, a Renaissance Festival held each fall in Massachusetts; and

Earn a free $50 gas card when you complete three stays at Choice Hotels properties by November 30.

_{The Comfort Inn & Suites in Great Barrington, MA, is a good choice for leaf peepers. Photo © 2008 Kim Knox Beckius.}