Leaf peepers, start your engines!

But, whoa, with gas prices the way they are, you'd better have a plan about what to do after that.

Gone are the days when fall color seekers might drive aimlessly in search of the perfect mix of autumn hues. In these times of penny pinching at the pump, even the most diehard fall fans might agree it's best to have a particular route or specific destination in mind before heading out.

So we say, set out to see the glorious reds, auburns and oranges of fall in -- where else? -- Redgranite, Auburndale and Orange Mill. This trio of towns form a triangle in scenic central Wisconsin, where picturesque parks, Rustic Roads, Cranberry Country and Amish culture blend together to create a vibrant, colorful Wisconsin scene -- especially in autumn.

Redgranite

This town of about 2,000 is near Wautoma in Waushara County, where a pair of state-designated Rustic Roads can be found. These scenic routes are perfect for a fall drive.

Rustic Road 48 is a 2.1-mile paved route along 26th Road, from County Highway H to County Highway W. It passes through the Pine River valley, with two pre-Civil War farmhouses and a log cabin visible on the way.

Rustic Road 102 is a 2.2-mile loop off of Highway 21 east of Redgranite. Dense woods create a golden canopy during fall, and the route also provides access to a portion of the Ice Age Trail.

In Redgranite itself, a well-maintained quarry offers recreation opportunities (the town got its name from the red granite discovered at the quarry in the 1880s). There's swimming in summer months, and scuba diving clubs find the quarry's clear water ideal for diving and instruction. The quarry also is stocked for fishing.

In Waushara County, one of the noted events is the annual Reach the Peak run at Nordic Mountain Ski Resort in Mount Morris, scheduled for Oct. 18 this year. Runners can choose a 5K or 15K course, with the finish of both runs coming high atop Mount Morris' Nordic ski hill -- a spectacular view any time of the year but especially so in fall.

Also planned for Oct. 18 is Harvestfest at Wautoma High School, which features German food and entertainment, an arts and crafts fair and a master gardeners bulb sale.

On the Internet: www.redgranitewisconsin.com; www.visitwaushara.com; www.reachthepeakrace.org; www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/scenic/rusticroads.htm.

Auburndale

In Wood County just southeast of Marshfield, Auburndale has a population of about 750. Cranberry Country is to the south, the town is pretty much on the way for those heading "up North," and Amish and Mennonite influences can be found throughout.

The Shady View Candy Shop, 8845 Highway K in Auburndale, is included on a list of "Amish and Mennonite Countryside Shops" featured on the Web site of the Marshfield Convention and Visitor Bureau. For the complete list, check www.visitmarshfieldwi.com/att_countryside.php. Working Amish homesteads are a common sight in a drive through Wood County.

If horse and buggy feels a bit slow for you, check out the Wood County ATV Area, 4415 State Highway 54 in Port Edwards. It features 10 miles of ATV trails on a 400-acre parcel of county forest. Check www.co.wood.wi.us/parks/ATV.htm for details.

South of Auburndale, Wisconsin Rapids features the start of the 50-mile Cranberry Highway. It winds past colorful cranberry beds and past plenty of other fall color on the way to the finish in Warrens, home of the state's Cranberry Discovery Center. With the berry harvest in full swing throughout the area, fall is one of the best times to visit.

On the Internet: www.visitrapids.com; www.visitmarshfieldwi.com; www.discovercranberries.com.

Orange Mill

This is one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it places, not much more than a dot on the map. But the area around it will more than satisfy fall color seekers.

Orange Mill, off of I-90/94 next to Camp Douglas, is close to three picturesque parks that have plenty to offer in autumn.

Mill Bluff State Park, which straddles Juneau and Monroe counties, is known for its striking rock bluffs, remnants of the Ice Age. The unique geology has given the park status as one of nine parts of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserves. No climbing is permitted on the bluffs, but visitors are allowed to hike to an observation deck at the top of the bluff via 223 stone steps that were built in the 1930s as a project of the Work Progress Administration.

At Buckhorn State Park in Necedah, a primary attraction is the 1.8-mile interpretive canoe trail through wetlands. Ten marked spots provide information about the ecosystems along the trail. Bow hunting also is a major draw at this state park, with most of the park open to archery deer hunters in season.

The other park near Orange Mill is Juneau County's Kennedy Park. The park covers about 200 acres of county forest, on the shores of the Lemonweir River. A dozen campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There also is a boat landing on the river for canoes and small boats.

On the Internet: www.juneaucounty.com/tourism.asp; www.dnr.state.wi.us (click Mill Bluff or Buckhorn on the map under "Find a State Park or Forest").