Autumn colors usually are terrific around Traverse City. Most of October offers a beautiful pallette of yellows, oranges and reds, with stands of green pine to set them off.

Most any road out of town becomes a color tour in October. Because of the temperature stabilizing effect of Lake Michigan, the woods nearest the shore typically are the latest to turn color. In early October, turn east, away from the shore, for the best color. After inland forests begin turning brown and drop their leaves, the trees nearer the shoreline are just coming on strong.

I particularly love sunny days for color tours, when rattling aspen leaves shake their yellow leaves in front of a backdrop of blue water. But rainy days have a way of brightening colors, too.

Wherever you drive or bike, stop at one of the many roadside farm stands and buy some apples.

Routes I personally love for driving color tours include anywhere in Leelanau County or Benzie County, through southern Grand Traverse County, or north along the Lake Michigan shore through Elk Rapids.

Viewing the color show from your car is enjoyable. But I appreciate a color tour even more if I get out of the car, on my own two feet, and experience it closer. If you touch the lake shore on your trip, get out and take a walk on the beach. They’re mostly deserted in October, and are a real treat. Or take a walk in the woods.

Here are some specific destinations I enjoy:

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
• River Road south of Traverse City
• Old Mission Peninsula
• Hartwick Pines State Park