If the foliage is past peak in the low-lands, get into the mountains for peak. Obvious, dusk or dawn for optimal photos Polarizing filter as a good investment if you're going to be in Vermont - I-89 from Burlington to Sharon has LOADS of opportunities where small villages peak out from beautifully colored trees (there's a small road-side waterfall in Sharon I've been meaning to catch) Smugglers Notch is nice too.
Precisely the same stories I have within my own experiences on Twitter. I feel your anxiety, believe me (the Business Week article was the second and last time I actively "creeped" someone out.) Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it though!