As the picture shows above, when the trees change color it can be spectacular. Columbus day weekend is from a seasonal change perspective, prime time to go out and take pictures and breath in the fresh air. For some reason, the people of the North East feel an irrepressible urge to head out on the road, clog the highways and byways, and generally cause havoc. Just to look at the leaves.

This is actually a huge money making opportunity for hotels and restaurants (witness the $200+ price for the room we stayed in on Friday of columbus day weekend.)

Then, theres the Fryeburg Fair. As it turns out, Mainers love their fairs. There are several across the state all through the warmer weather, but it seems the biggest is the Fryeburg Fair. On the surface this seems like a pleasant and quaint tradition, and by all indications it is. It is also a huge money maker for the area. A study conducted last year estimated that the fair brought in somewhere between $100-$200 million to the region, plus a whole bunch of fair seasonal jobs.

Then there’s the traffic. For the week of the fair and the day before and after, the traffic is about the worst you will ever experience. Anywhere. Traffic backs up in both directions heading into Fryeburg, and the delay can be hours. It is not uncommon to sit in traffic moving 1 or 2 feet every minute or so. I’m not exaggerating. Route 302, which is just about the only route through this part of Maine, is 2 lanes with little or no shoulder (breakdown lane) no center turn lane, and much if it is a no passing zone. During Fryeburg Fair week, route 302 is for all intents and purposes, a parking lot.

While we’re on the subject of roads to and from the fair, Conway NH, which is just west of Fryeburg over the state line, has one of the most absurd intersections ever devised by road engineers. The intersections of routes 113, 16, and Pleasant st/Washington st (see image below) is the cause of much delay during Fryeburg Fair week. On Rt 113, there is a traffic light at the corner of Pleasant St, and there is also a traffic light where Rt 16 splits off to the north east. These two lights are roughly 375′ part. Does that sound like a lot? It’s not, it is approximately 25 car lengths. And to top it all off, the lights are not synchronized. For instance, when the light at Pleasant st turns green, the light at Rt. 16 is still red. About 25 cars max will advance to the next light, and stop. While as absurd as this sounds, I believe this is intentional and is the Great State of New Hampshire’s way of regulating the flow of traffic through Conway. There has to be a better way, I just wish someone would figure it out and tell the folks in Conway what it is. Anyway, if you are heading to the Fair from points west, you will probably see firsthand what a mess this all is.

So, add it all up: Columbus day weekend, leaf peepers, fair goers = STAY HOME. Really, just stay home. Chances are you can go to a local park and see just as impressive display of fall colors and you don’t have to block of the roads.