We get some amazing coloring in the fall in the Pacific NW. Just doesn't get the pub the NE does (which is fine, we have enough people out here, thank you). You get out into the forest and/or up in the mountains, some of it is really stunning. Once I began painting as a hobby, I also began seeing all kinds of colors I hadn't noticed before.
8track, you ever read any of Peter Eagan's stuff in Cycle World or Road & Track? He doses pretty liberally with talk of life and riding/driving in Wisconsin. Plus, he's a hoot to read.