NEVER MIND VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. Professor Althouse has recommended some Southern Wisconsin locations for leaf excursions, based on a poll of the law school faculty in Madison. Not a bad list. Let me add a bit of local knowledge. Several of the sites require the use of the State Highway 113 free ferry at Lake Wisconsin, which is a treat in itself (your tax dollars at work) and a pleasant journey break. Too bad there aren't many trains on the adjoining railroad bridge. On the other hand, the Circus World Museum nearby is open (do they serve cotton candy?) If you take the walk around Lake Geneva, you pass the Lake Geneva Yacht Club, which is home to two two-time winners of the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards, and temporary home of the America's Cup (now at some other Lake Geneva.) Also in the Kettle Moraine area is the last piece of traditional interurban track in North America at the East Troy Electric Railroad, which has more train service in the fall -- most preservation railways have their busiest days in the summer, particularly if they're hosting Thomas.

(Superintendent's footnote for railroad enthusiasts: Yes, the South Shore Line still offers interurban passenger service including the center-of-the-street trackage in Michigan City, but there's this little matter of the diesels on the freight trains.)